Symmetricom SyncServer 1520R-S250 UPGRADED GPS NTP Network Time Server IRIG-B [Refurbished]

Tested/Guaranteed • Brand New iLotus GPS Receiver Installed • Good Condition • Fully Working • IRIG-B, 10MHz and 1PPS Inputs/Outputs • Firmware v1.36 • IPv6 Ready • TCXO

Photos show the actual item for sale

Description

Here's a lightly used, late model (mid-2013) Symmetricom/Microsemi SyncServer S250 NTP server that obtains highly accurate and traceable time from the GPS satellite constellation - as well as IRIG-B, 10MHz and 1PPS inputs if preferred. The OEM GPS receiver in this unit has been replaced with an updated module (see next paragraph) for solid service for many years to come. The unit has been tested (results in screenshots below) and confirmed to work fully. The cosmetic condition is very good - the photos show the actual item for sale. As you would expect from a late model, the VFD display is bright and clear. No antenna is included but I have the matched 12V AT575 antenna available in a separate listing, and/or can edit the listing to include one if required. Note that the antenna voltage is 12V so you cannot use one of the generic 5V antennas commonly offered for sale. The antenna needs to be mounted outside with a complete view of the sky. It ships set to the factory logon defaults (admin:symmetricom) ready for your install. This unit has the TCXO internal oscillator. The installed firmware is v1.36 which is the latest version available at the time of listing. Listing comprises the items you see in the images only.

Full details may be obtained from the Datasheet and User Manual
https://www.prostudioconnection.net/1404/SyncServer_S250_User_Guide.pdf

Why Swap Out The GPS Receiver?

This unit has been upgraded with a new, latest generation GPS receiver module from iLotus, one of two companies still making cards of the type that this machine uses. Why is that relevant (and maybe worth paying a little more for)? Pretty much all GPS clocks are by design going to fail at a future date. The problem is that the GPS system does not send out a date, but a week number. And in the GPS system there was only capacity in the original design to have a calendar of 1024 weeks (ie. a bit less than 20 years). At the end of the 1024 week period, the calendar goes back to the beginning again and many clocks start showing dates that are 1024 weeks in the past. In a system originally designed for the military this wasn't considered to be a problem, as the Cold War was at its peak and it was unlikely that any military equipment would have a service life of 19+ years. But now in the civilian world this week number 'roll-over' causes problems as each GPS receiver at some point will report a date that's in the past. Not ideal for a precision time server.

Is this an issue for a purchaser of a S250 SyncServer? If you're looking for a stop-gap solution to tide you by for a couple of years until corporate agrees your budget request for a new new box then maybe not. But if your time horizon is more than that then you'll need to consider your options. Will Symmetricom/MicroSemi/MicroChip release a firmware fix? Very unlikely. Even if there's a development engineer still on the same project after 15+ years (and multiple corporate acquisitions) somewhere, sitting in a cubicle surrounded by 20 year old test gear and documentation, Symmetricom is not going to task them to extend the service life of this device. They'd much rather you bought a new state of the art device from them, of course. I suggest that it's a reasonable approach to do a planned hardware upgrade now at very modest cost rather than just leave the problem out in the field and praying that someone else gets the "WTF just happened" call when the old GPS card's firmware decides it's time to travel back in time to 2002.

Usually Sells for $5,353

Description

The SyncServer S250 provides multiple and versatile timing configurations that support the expanding technological requirements of large enterprises. It is Next Generation ready to be the synchronization source for multiple applications

Multiple and Versatile Timing Configurations
The Stratum 1 S250 will automatically synchronize to GPS, IRIG B AM, 1PPS, and 10 MHz in that priority. It smoothly transitions from one reference to the next available if the higher priority signal is lost or regained. This is perfect for operating with different backup time or frequency sources. The S250 can also revert to a Stratum 2 mode and retrieve time from other user-designated time servers.

Easy To Set Up and Maintain
SyncServers are the easiest to set up and maintain network time servers in the world. The front panel of the SyncServer S250 is designed to quickly bring the server online with a few front panel keystrokes or DHCP. To fully configure the unit, use the very intuitive web interface or the step-by-step wizards for the most common operations.

Highly Robust and Secure
The S250 provides reliable and secure network synchronization technology by combining multi-port, high-speed/ high-capacity network interfaces and versatile GPS timing receiver technology.

Flexibility and Performance
The multiple ports of the S250 provide the flexibility to adapt to different network topologies as networks grow and change. It supports a wide range of network protocols including IPv4 and IPv6, for easy management and seamless integration into your existing and future network. The high speed processor and a nanosecond clock assure high bandwidth NTP performance for hundreds of thousands of network clients.

Assured Perfect Timing
The Stratum 1 level S250 derives extremely accurate time directly from the atomic clocks aboard the GPS satellite system. Reliability is further enhanced via Stratum 2 operation by retrieving time from other user-designated time servers. All SyncServers can be upgraded to an internal Rubidium atomic oscillator to keep the time server accurate if the GPS signal is lost.

Customer Tested Time Server Design
The 5th generation Symmetricom SyncServer S250 has decades of design experience behind it. Customer input is evident in every detail. From the front and rear panel design configurations to the state-of-the art web interface, the S250 is unsurpassed in reliability, accuracy, security and ease of use.

Bottom Line
The SyncServer S250 is the perfect solution to bringing ultra precise time and frequency to network and instrumentation synchronization with the added benefit ease-of-use and state-of-the-art networking technology.

Features

• Next generation, High-Bandwidth NTP Time Server
• Stratum 1 Operation Via GPS Satellites
• 3 Independent 10/100Base-T Ports
• High-Resolution Vacuum
• Florescent Display
• Full numeric keypad
• IPv6 and IPv4 Compatible
• Secure Web-Based Management
• SSH, SSL, SCP, SNMP v3, Custom
• MIB, HTTPS, Telnet, FTP, and more
• Stratum 2 Operation via NTP Servers
• Nanosecond time accuracy to UTC
• IRIG B AM, 1PPS, 10 MHz input/output
• Dedicated Sysplex Timer output
• Email Alerts for Alarms or Error
• Single Satellite Timing
• Dual USB ports
• All features of the SyncServer S200