System Management 
Basic System Configuration Guide 239
SNTP Time Synchronization
For synchronizing the system clock with outside time sources, the SR OS includes a Simple 
Network Time Protocol (SNTP) client. As defined in RFC 2030, SNTP Version 4 is an 
adaptation of the Network Time Protocol (NTP). SNTP typically provides time accuracy 
within 100 milliseconds of the time source. SNTP can only receive the time from NTP 
servers; it cannot be used to provide time services to other systems. SNTP is a compact, 
client-only version of NTP. SNTP does not authenticate traffic.
SNTP can be configured in both unicast client modes (point-to-point) and broadcast client 
modes (point-to-multipoint). SNTP should be used only at the extremities of the 
synchronization subnet. SNTP clients should operate only at the highest stratum (leaves) of 
the subnet and in configurations where no NTP or SNTP client is dependent on another SNTP 
client for synchronization. SNTP time servers should operate only at the root (stratum 1) of 
the subnet and then only in configurations where no other source of synchronization other 
than a reliable radio clock is available. External servers may only be specified using IPv4 
addresses.
In the SR OS, the SNTP client can be configured for either broadcast or unicast client mode.
CRON
The CRON feature supports periodic and date and time-based scheduling in SR OS. CRON 
can be used, for example, to schedule Service Assurance Agent (SAA) functions. CRON 
functionality includes the ability to specify scripts that need to be run, when they will be 
scheduled, including one-time only functionality (one-shot), interval and calendar functions. 
Scheduled reboots, peer turn ups, service assurance agent tests and more can all be scheduled 
with CRON, as well as OAM events, such as connectivity checks, or troubleshooting runs.
CRON supports the schedule element. The schedule function configures the type of schedule 
to run, including one-time only (one-shot), periodic, or calendar-based runs. All runs are 
determined by month, day of month or weekday, hour, minute, and interval (seconds).
High Availability
This section discusses the high availability (HA) routing options and features available to 
service providers that help diminish vulnerability at the network or service provider edge and 
alleviate the effect of a lengthy outage on IP networks.