Serial Networking: Using Your RISC OS Computer As A Time Server

CONTENTS
	Introduction Page
	Contact Details
	Useful Website Links
	Website Update Log

General:

	Serial Cable Networking: Pros and Cons
	Hardware & Software Requirements
	Serial Cable Information
	Network Security Issues

RISC OS TCP/IP Configuration:

	Configuring !Internet v4
	Configuring !Internet v5

Connection Instructions:

	Connecting to another RISC OS Computer
	Connecting to a Linux Computer
	Connecting to a Windows 9x Computer
	Connecting to a Windows 2000/XP Computer

Alternative Uses of The Link:

	Using a Linux PC As An Internet Router
	VNC
	Using your RISC OS Computer as a Time Server


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NB. This section is really only relevant to those who connect their RISC OS computer to the internet, since the RISC OS computer's internal clock will be synchronised to an internet time server.

What is a Time Server?

A time server is a computer on a network, be it a LAN or WAN, which is used by other computers on that network to synchronise their internal clocks. Since such a server program is readily available for your RISC OS computer, we will make it the server and the other computer's on the network will be clients.

What will you need?

A Time Server client for your Windows computer:

Dimension 4: http://www.thinkman.com/

A Time Server client for your RISC OS computer:

FreeTime by Joseph Heenan: http://www.heenan.me.uk/acorn/download.html

A Time Server for your RISC OS computer:

TimeServer by Joseph Heenan: http://www.heenan.me.uk/acorn/download.html

How do you set it up?

Windows Instructions:

1) Assuming Dimension 4 is already installed, you may find that it has put an entry in the Startup programs folder. You will need to delete this entry, otherwise it will try to synchronise the clock at startup.

	2) Click on the Dimension 4 v4.1 icon in the Dimension 4 v4.1 directory, which is contained in the Programs menu. In the resulting window, labelled Dimension 4, click on the Add button.
	3) Fill in the window, as follows and click on the OK button: Server: riscpc.my.home Location: My Home. Protocol: Time/udp

4) You may want to change the frequency at which the time is checked, by altering some of the options
on the bottom of the window. I have it set to synchronise once and then exit.

5) That completes the Windows instructions.

RISC OS Instructions:

1) Open up the FreeTime application folder and double click on the FTsetup application. In the resulting window, carry out the following configuration.

Server: ntp.demon.co.uk

(If you don't want to use the Demon time server, then look at the list contained in the Dimension 4 program. BTW. You don't need to be a Demon subscriber to use it.) The other options can be set as required by the user. The following thumbnail illustrates my configuration.

Operational Instructions:

When you go on the internet with your RISC OS machine, simply run the FreeTime application, which will synchronise your RISC OS machine's internal clock. Then when you use the serial cable network, run the TimeServer module on your RISC OS computer, and the Dimension 4 program on your PC. The PC internal clock will now be synchronised to the RISC OS computer's.

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