OT: time and computer networks
hi folks,
ok... this is way OT. but I thought I'd put this question to the
most knowledgable group of people I know...
I have to give a lecture on the history of timekeeping technologies.
I want to end with late c.20/ early c21 technologies of synchronized
timekeeping. GPS is one obvious example, NTP is another. But
puttingthe lecture together I realized I don'trelaly understand why
it's important for computer networks to have fine-grain
synchronization. So I thought I'd ask some geeks (as my sig says, I'm
only a hemi-geek): why does a network need careful clock
synchronization? Are packets like railroad cars -- in the sense that
it's VERY important to know which got sent first, and which is ocming
next -- and if you screw up the timeable, you get a catastrophe? Or
is there more flexibility in the system?
anyway, it's just a question. I'd love to hear some answers.
thanks,
matt
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.''`. Matt Price
: :' : Debian User
`. `'` & hemi-geek
`-
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