Symmetricom SyncServer S250 GPS UPGRADED NTP Network Time Server ** DC Power ** [Refurbished]
( 363268287362) )
** DC Power Version ** Brand New iLotus GPS Upgrade • Tested/Guaranteed • Good Condition • Fully Working • IRIG-B, 10MHz and 1PPS Inputs/Outputs • Firmware v1.36 • IPv6 Ready • TCXO
Photos show the actual item for sale
Overview
Here's a late model (Microsemi Branded from 2015), used Symmetricom 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. This is the DC Power version that can accept power in the range 40-60V DC (48V most commonly). No AC to DC power supply is included. The original GPS receiver system has been replaced with the latest generation of technology for assured service for years to come (see comments below for why this is important for anyone considering buying a SyncServer). The unit has been tested (screenshots below) and confirmed to work fully. The cosmetic condition is very good - the photos show the actual item for sale. 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. For best results 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 Is It Necessary to Upgrade the GPS Receiver?
This unit has been upgraded with a new, latest generation GPS receiver module from iLotus. Why is that relevant (and maybe worth paying a little more for)?
Pretty much all GPS clocks are 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 S200 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