Accurate timekeeping is a critical foundation for servers, clients, and virtually every device connected to the Internet. The Network Time Protocol (NTP) is the protocol responsible for synchronizing clocks globally. Until recently, the most widely used NTP implementations were written in C—a language with no built-in memory safety mechanisms and a history of critical security vulnerabilities.
Enter ntpd-rs: A Modern, Secure, and Open NTP Implementation
With the goal of strengthening the security of one of the Internet’s most critical infrastructure components, the Prossimo project from the Internet Security Research Group (ISRG) sponsored the development of ntpd-rs in 2022. Written entirely in Rust, ntpd-rs leverages a memory-safe programming language, greatly reducing risks from common bugs like buffer overflows or use-after-free errors.
Features and How It Works
ntpd-rs offers both client and server NTP functionality and fully supports the NTS (Network Time Security) extension, which protects communications against tampering and spoofing. This open-source solution is mature, production-ready, and already in use by critical services such as the Let’s Encrypt certificate authority.
Key features include:
- Full NTP and NTS Support: Ensures secure and precise system clock synchronization for any environment.
- Easy Installation and Management: Available as prebuilt packages for major Linux distributions such as Fedora and Ubuntu, with binaries ready for deployment.
- Clear Monitoring Tools: The included
ntp-ctlcommand-line tool provides real-time synchronization status, server sources, offsets, and network delays. - Independent Security Audit: The codebase has undergone a thorough review by external security experts to ensure reliability.
- Active Development and Support: Since 2023, ntpd-rs has been maintained by Tweede golf as part of Project Pendulum, with ongoing work to foster adoption and expand capabilities in the industry.
Current Status and Roadmap
ntpd-rs is now a mature and robust solution, recommended for anyone seeking to improve the security and reliability of time synchronization in mission-critical systems. For 2024, the team is focused on packaging, community engagement, industry adoption, and preparing to launch a new NTS pool—actively seeking sponsors and industry partners.
Raising the Bar for Global Internet Infrastructure Security
ntpd-rs is a compelling demonstration that core Internet services can be modernized using memory-safe technology. Thanks to the combined efforts of ISRG, Prossimo, Tweede golf, and the Sovereign Tech Fund, time synchronization is taking a significant leap forward in security, reliability, and transparency, benefitting both operators and end users.
ntpd-rs now stands as the reference choice for organizations and administrators who demand both high-precision timing and robust protection against security vulnerabilities.
