Symmetricom SyncServer S300 UPGRADED GPS NTP Network Time Server Clock Receiver [Refurbished]

Tested/Guaranteed • Brand New iLotus GPS Receiver Installed • Fully Working • Good Condition • Very Good Display • GPS Discplined TCXO NTP Server • Latest Firmware • IPv6 Ready • Rack Ears Included

Photos show the actual item for sale

Here's a lightly-used, late model (mid-2015) good condition SyncServer S300 NTP server that obtains highly accurate and traceable time from the GPS satellite constellation. This unit has a VFD display that's clear, bright and legible. The photos show the actual item for sale. Note that antenna is not included but I have matched 12V types available and can edit the listing to include one if required. Rack ears are included. For best results the antenna needs to be mounted outside with a complete view of the sky. The unit 's password has been reset to the factory defaults (logon admin:symmetricom) ready for your install. This unit is the TCXO version; it does not have a Rubidium oscillator. The installed firmware is the latest available at the time of listing (v2.83.2) which takes into account the April 2019 GPS epoch roll-over and prior leap second adjustments. The PTP option is not enabled. The listing comprises the items you see in the images (only). No printed manual is included but a copy may be downloaded here if required [https://www.prostudioconnection.net/2103/SyncServer_S300-S350_User_Manual.pdf] No other cables, documents or accessories are included. Screenshots taken during my testing of the actual item for sale are provided below for your peace of mind.

GPS Receiver Upgrade

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 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 S300 SyncServer? If you're looking for a stop-gap solution to tide you by for a year 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 happened" call when the old card's firmware decides it's time to travel back in time to 2002.

Usually Sells for over $6,000

Photos show the actual item for sale.

Overview

The SyncServer S300 is a high performance, enhanced security enterprise class GPS Network Time Server. It sets standards for security, accuracy, reliability, and redundancy in network time servers.

Full details may be obtained from the User Manual at
https://www.prostudioconnection.net/2103/SyncServer_S300-S350_User_Manual.pdf

Features

• High-Bandwidth NTP Time Server
• Stratum 1 Operation Via GPS Satellites
• 4 Independent NTP Ports
• Internal Dial-up Modem for Time Reference Redundancy
• Stratum 2 Operation via NTP Servers
• TACACS+, RADIUS, NTPv4 Autokey, MD5 authentication
• Secure Web-Based Management
• SSH, SSL, SCP, SNMP, Custom MIB, HTTPS, Telnet, and More
• High-Resolution Vacuum Fluorescent Display
• Full Numeric Keypad
• IPv6 and IPv4 Compatible
• Nanosecond Time Accuracy to UTC
• Dedicated Sysplex Timer Output
• Alarm Relays
• Single Satellite Timing
• All features of the SyncServer S200

Unmatched High Performance with Unparalleled Flexibility and Security

The S300 has four dedicated and isolated Ethernet ports, one of which is Gigabit Ethernet - more than enough to meet the need of servicing thousands of NTP requests per second while maintaining microsecond caliber timestamp accuracy. Multiple ports 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. An optional upgrade to IEEE 1588 PTP grandmaster operations with hardware based, nanosecond accurate time stamping is available.

Enhanced Security - Secure and Easy Network Integration and Management

The S300 provides very reliable and secure network synchronization technology by combining multi-port network interfaces with multiple time reference technology and enhanced security protocols. TACACS+, RADIUS, SSL, Autokey, MD5, passwords, access control lists and more are standard for maximum security. All of the expected network management and monitoring protocols are standard in the S300.

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 S300 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.

Redundancy and Time Assurance

The internal modem is standard to connect directly to legal time provided by national time authorities. An optional AM radio is available to synchronize to national time broadcasts, which can be an alternative to GPS when GPS is not viable option.

Assured Perfect Timing

The Stratum 1 level S300 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.

Alarm Relays for Monitoring Systems

Aside from extensive software based alarms, the hardware based alarm of the S300 relays further enhance Alarming choices.

Customer Tested Time Server Design

The 5th generation Microsemi SyncServer S300 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 S300 is unsurpassed in reliability, accuracy, security and ease of use.

Bottom Line

The SyncServer S300 is your answer to bringing perfect timing and therefore the highest performance to your network - securely, reliably and easily.