Eras, leap indicators & KoD
09The wire timestamp has limited range. Leap indicators and special stratum-zero packets carry additional state.
Related RFCs and changes
“Updates” changes part of an earlier RFC. “Obsoletes” replaces it. This list shows selected related documents.
DIAGRAM§ 6 ↗
RFC 5905 · § 6EXAMPLE
3 / 3
03
Reduce query load appropriately.
The client handles the control code instead of using the packet as a timing update.
Protocol participantThreat or exceptionProtocol controlSimplified drawings · precise section references
Read the updated RFC section ↗
Never treat every packet as a usable clock reading.
- The 64-bit wire timestamp contains 32 seconds bits and 32 fractional bits; the seconds field wraps across eras.
- Leap indicator 3 means unsynchronized; other values signal normal time or a pending leap adjustment.
- A stratum-zero Kiss-o’-Death packet carries a reference-ID code; RATE requests reduced sending rate.
Era interpretation needs an approximate date context. KoD is a control message, not a valid synchronization sample, and unauthenticated control traffic has security implications.
Read the RFC section ↗Diagrams simplify the RFC. Read the linked sections for complete requirements.
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