952 CHAPTER 77: NTP CONFIGURATION
passive mode and sends a reply, with the Mode field in the message set to 2 
(symmetric passive). By exchanging messages, the symmetric peers mode is 
established between the two switches. Then, the two switches can synchronize, or 
be synchronized by, each other. If the clocks of both switches have been already 
synchronized, the switch whose local clock has a lower stratum level will 
synchronize the clock of the other switch.
Broadcast mode
Figure 281   Broadcast mode
 
In the broadcast mode, a server periodically sends clock synchronization messages 
to the broadcast address 255.255.255.255, with the Mode field in the messages 
set to 5 (broadcast mode). Clients listen to the broadcast messages from servers. 
After a client receives the first broadcast message, the client and the server start to 
exchange messages, with the Mode field set to 3 (client mode) and 4 (server 
mode) to calculate the network delay between client and the server. Then, the 
client enters the broadcast client mode and continues listening to broadcast 
messages, and synchronizes its local clock based on the received broadcast 
messages.
Multicast mode
Figure 282   Multicast mode
 
In the multicast mode, a server periodically sends clock synchronization messages 
to the user-configured multicast address, or, if no multicast address is configured, 
to the default NTP multicast address 224.0.1.1, with the Mode field in the 
Network
Client
Server
After receiving the first 
broadcast message the client 
sends a request
Clock synchronization message 
exchange (Mode 3 and Mode 4)
Periodically broadcasts clock 
synchronization messages  (Mode 5)
Calculates the network delay 
between client and server and 
enters the broadcast client mode
Periodically broadcasts clock 
synchronization messages  (Mode 5)
Receives broadcast messages 
and synchronizes its local 
clock
ˈ
Network
Client
Server
After receiving the first 
multicast message the client 
sends a request
Clock synchronization message 
exchange (Mode 3 and Mode 4)
Periodically multicasts clock 
synchronization messages  (Mode 5)
Calculates the network delay 
between client and server and 
enters the multicast client mode
Periodically multicasts clock 
synchronization messages  (Mode 5)
Receives multicast messages 
and synchronizes its local 
clock
ˈ