Domain clients use another client as time server

I realized that on all workstations I have checked so far if I run "net time
/set" the client asks to synchronize with a specific client in the domain and
not with the DC. What does that mean?

My environment exists of a single AD domain with a functional level of
"Windows 2000" (although I already installed a few Windows 2003 DCs, I cannot
upgrade the level) and a few remote locations each with their own DC.

Almost all clients are XP SP2.

Can anyone give me a hint (also regarding the domain func level)?
Thanks in advance.

"The Kirschi" wrote:
> I realized that on all workstations I have checked so far if I run "net time
> /set" the client asks to synchronize with a specific client in the domain and
> not with the DC. What does that mean?
>
> My environment exists of a single AD domain with a functional level of
> "Windows 2000" (although I already installed a few Windows 2003 DCs, I cannot
> upgrade the level) and a few remote locations each with their own DC.
>
> Almost all clients are XP SP2.
>
> Can anyone give me a hint (also regarding the domain func level)?
> Thanks in advance.

If the time source in your domain aren't the DCs, maybe someone changed some
registry keys or applyed a GPO. Have a look at the following articles:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../16_2kwts.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../26_s3wts.mspx

A quick and good explanation of domain and forest functional levels is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322692/en-us

Hope these can help to solve your problem.

Regards,

Carlo