Administrative services A-Z

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If you want to set the clock of your computer or your mobile device exactly, you can use a service of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) which enables time synchronization via the Internet.

Often, you need to indicate the exact time in official traffic and business transactions via the Internet. However, most computer clocks run inaccurately. If you need the exact time on your computer, it is necessary to adjust the computer clock regularly.
For the time synchronization of your computer, you can use the services of the PTB.

For the time synchronization, 3 time servers are at your disposal whose clocks are directly synchronized by the atomic clocks of the PTB. Central European Time (CET) or Central European Summer Time (CEST) is the legally valid time in the Federal Republic of Germany.

The servers of PTB use the so-called "Network Time Protocol" (NTP) to transmit the time information. With this protocol, the clocks of computers, mobile devices or network components can be synchronized.

For this purpose, programs are required which support the NTP. Such programs are available for all common operating systems.
After installing such a program, you need to specify one or more of the following addresses:

• ptbtime1.ptb.com
• ptbtime2.ptb.de
• ptbtime3.ptb.de.

Depending on the runtimes in the network connections, accuracies of one to ten milliseconds can be achieved.

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To synchronize the time of your computer, you must first install a program on your computer.

• The programs are available for all common operating systems.
• After installing the program, add the addresses of the NTP server to it.
• One or more of the following addresses must be entered:
  • ptbtime1.ptb.en
  • ptbtime2.ptb.de
  • ptbtime3.ptb.de
• The synchronization of your computer clock is done automatically

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• Einheiten- und Zeitgesetz (EinhZeitG)

The PTB accepts no liability for damage caused by a failure of the PTB's time service, as a result of faulty transmission by the PTB's time servers or as a result of deviations caused by delays on the Internet at the users.

• Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt: Serversysteme, Datenhaltung und Zeitverteilung mit IP
• Programme, die das NTP unterstützen

Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy