NTP and DST
ITS has received several communications asking whether systems that use NTP (network time protocol) need to be updated for the Daylight Saving Time (DST) change. Apparently there is a misconception that systems using NTP do not need to be updated for DST.
ITS would like to be clear on this issue: The use of NTP by any system does NOT mean that the system is somehow “immune” to the upcoming DST changes. ALL systems must have the appropriate patches or updates applied to ensure that the local system clock time will be correct when DST occurs.
NTP provides Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to local systems. These systems then apply local time zone rules to the time provided by NTP to create a local system time. If these time zone rules have not been updated to take the DST changes into account, the local system time will be incorrect, causing a variety of problems. Refer to the NTP service site for more information.
