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Frequently Asked Questions

tSync

Version: 1.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some questions asked about this software:
  1. tSync and tSyncRemote can run when the current user logs on, but can I make it run when the system boots up, or before any user logs in?
  2. How do I set up a network for tSync to synchronize time, or to send commands to a remote machine?
  3. How do I learn the IP address of a remote machine on my network?
  4. When tSync (or tSyncRemote) is run I see the following message, "Another instance of the program is already running. Close it to re-start it again..."
  5. When I run tSync (or tSyncRemote) it resets my clock one hour behind (or forward). How do I fix that?
  6. How do I learn the computer name of a remote machine on my network?
  7. Can I set up tSync to synchronize time and execute commands between two or more machines over the Internet?
  8. Can I connect more than one tSync server program to a single tSyncRemote machine?
  9. How accurately can tSync synchronize time over network on remote machine(s)?
  10. If remote time synchronization is so precise as described in FAQ 9, why don't I see it on my system?
  11. Is there a way to export and then import the list of 'Remote Machines' in tSync?
  12. Are you planning to make tSync (and tSyncRemote) fully compatible with Windows 10?

 

Answers

  1. tSync and tSyncRemote can run when the current user logs on, but can I make it run when the system boots up, or before any user logs in?

    Although not designed specifically to run as a service (or from a non-interactive desktop) you may set up both tSync program and tSyncRemote module to run when computer starts up. The downside of such approach is that you will not be able to see the programs' icons on the system tray to be able to control them or to see the status of their operation.

    For Windows 2000/XP:

    • Run tSync (or tSyncRemote) under a user account with administrative privileges and set it up the way you want it to operate.
    • Exit the program. In either case of tSync or tSyncRemote right-click its icon in the system tray (next to the system clock) and select Exit.
    • Go to Start -> Control Panel, and click "Switch to Classic View" on the left, then double-click "Scheduled Tasks" icon.
    • In the Scheduled Tasks window double-click Add Scheduled Task and specify the tSync.exe (or tSyncRemote.exe) file by clicking the Browse button.
    • Specify to "Perform this task" as "when my computer starts".
    • Specify the Windows user name (that you used above) and the password for that user, if applies.
    • Click Finish to add new task.
    • Reboot computer.

    For Windows Vista/7:

    • Run tSync (or tSyncRemote) under a user account with administrative privileges and set it up the way you want it to operate.
    • Exit the program. In either case of tSync or tSyncRemote right-click its icon in the system tray (next to the system clock) and select Exit.
    • Go to Start -> Control Panel, and click "Classic View" on the left, then Administrative Tools and double-click Task Scheduler.
    • Click "Task Scheduler Library" in the pane on the left.
    • Click "Create Task" in the Actions pane on the right.
    • Give this task some descriptive name (Example: tSync or tSyncRemote).
    • Check "Run whether user is logged on or not".
    • Make sure that "Do not store password" is unchecked.
    • Check "Run with highest privileges".
    • Go to the Triggers tab and click New button.
    • Specify "At startup" in the "Begin the task" box, make sure that "Enabled" is checked and click OK.
    • Go to the Actions tab and click New button.
    • Specify "Start a program" in the "Action" box, then click Browse and locate the tSync.exe (or tSyncRemote.exe) file and click Open, then OK.
    • Click OK again and specify the Windows user name (that you used above) and the password for that user (if applies) to add a new task.
    • Restart computer.

    In case you'd like to remove tSync (or tSyncRemote) from the auto-start, do the following:

    Windows 2000/XP:

    • Go to Start -> Control Panel, double-click "Scheduled Tasks".
    • In the Scheduled Tasks window right-click the tSync (or tSyncRemote) task icon and select Delete.
    • Confirm deletion.
    • Reboot computer.

    Windows Vista/7:

    • Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools and double-click "Task Scheduler".
    • Click "Task Scheduler Library" in the pane on the left.
    • In the pane listing tasks in the middle right-click the tSync (or tSyncRemote) task line and select Delete.
    • Confirm deletion.
    • Reboot computer.
  2. How do I set up a network for tSync to synchronize time, or to send commands to a remote machine?

    You will need the following components:

    • Version of Windows that supports networking (recommended: Windows 2000/XP/Server 2003, or Vista/Server 2008/7 - see limitations).
    • Network card on each computer (the network card may be already built in your motherboard - in this case check for presence of the Ethernet jack).
    • In case of more than two computers you will need a network router, or a network switch.
    • In case of more than two computers you will need Ethernet cables to connect each computer to the router.
    • In case of only two computers you will need a "cross-over" Ethernet cable to connect two computers directly.

    Perform the following steps to set up the network required by tSync program (only if not set up before):

    • In case of more than two computers, connect each computer's network card to a router using Ethernet cables. In case of only two computers connect their network cards directly using the "cross-over" Ethernet cable.
      IMPORTANT: In case of connecting two computers directly it is important to use the "cross-over" Ethernet cable instead of a regular/patch Ethernet cable.
    • Power on computers and the router, if present.
    • When Windows boots up it should detect new network connections and initialize them.
      INFORMATION: You may need to install additional drivers for the network card(s) before you will be able to use the network. Refer to the network card documentation, if the card was not installed before.

      INFORMATION: You may need to set up a network connection manually for the older versions of Windows.

      INFORMATION: Your router may need additional setup before it is ready to accept network connections. Refer to the router documentation for additional information.
    • At this point your network connections should be available for tSync. You may skip to the next step.
      In case you want to use a static IP to connect remote computers you can set it up as follows:
      INFORMATION: Static IP configuration is faster and thus is recommended over the use of computer names if you do not plan to share Internet connection and/or enable file sharing between remote machines.
      • Windows 2000: Go to Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network and Dial-up Connections, then right-click the network connection (it may be called something like, "Local Area Connection") and select Properties. Make sure that "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" is checked, then select that line and click Properties. Put a check next to "Use the following IP address" and specify the following: "Subnet mask" should be 255.255.255.0, and "IP address" should be 192.168.1.N, where N = the number between 1 and 255, that is unique per each computer on the network. The "DNS Server addresses" could be left blank. When done, click OK.
        IMPORTANT: The above instructions apply only if the network connection was not set up before.

        INFORMATION: If you fail to make tSync communicate with tSyncRemote using this static IP method, make sure to undo changes made to the network connection and try using connection method by specifying a remote machine using its (DNS) computer name (details).
      • Windows XP: Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Network Connections, then right-click the network connection (it may be called something like, "Local Area Connection") and select Properties. Make sure that "Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)" is checked, then select that line and click Properties. Put a check next to "Use the following IP address" and specify the following: "Subnet mask" should be 255.255.255.0, and "IP address" should be 192.168.1.N, where N = the number between 1 and 255, that is unique per each computer on the network. The "DNS Server addresses" could be left blank. When done, click OK.
        IMPORTANT: The above instructions apply only if the network connection was not set up before.

        INFORMATION: If you fail to make tSync communicate with tSyncRemote using this static IP method, make sure to undo changes made to the network connection and try using connection method by specifying a remote machine using its (DNS) computer name (details).
      • Windows Vista/7: Go to Start -> Control Panel -> Network and Sharing Center. Click "View Status" next to the network connection and click Properties. Make sure that "Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)" is checked, then select that line and click Properties. Put a check next to "Use the following IP address" and specify the following: "Subnet mask" should be 255.255.255.0, and "IP address" should be 192.168.1.N, where N = the number between 1 and 255, that is unique per each computer on the network. The "DNS Server addresses" could be left blank. When done, click OK.
        IMPORTANT: The above instructions apply only if the network connection was not set up before.

        INFORMATION: If you fail to make tSync communicate with tSyncRemote using this static IP method, make sure to undo changes made to the network connection and try using connection method by specifying a remote machine using its (DNS) computer name (details).

    Perform the following steps to set up tSync program:

    • Set up tSync program on the main computer by adding remote machine(s) to its "Remote Machines" list (read here). In case you skipped the step of setting up a static IP above, make sure to specify that remote machine by its computer name (read how to get it), or if you set up connection using a static IP address, make sure to specify the remote machine by its IP address (read how to get it).
      IMPORTANT: To be able to connect using remote computer names, make sure that each computer on the network has a different DNS computer name (details here).

      INFORMATION: tSync requires basic TCP/IP connection for its communication. It does not require presence of the Internet connection or file sharing between remote machines.

      INFORMATION: It is recommended for network time synchronization to select a computer that has (fast) Internet connection to put tSync server program on. This way you can also synchronize time over the Internet on all computers on the network.
    • Run tSyncRemote module on each remote machine (details).

    Refer to the manual for more detailed information about the software setup.

  3. How do I learn the IP address of a remote machine on my network?

    Perform the following steps on remote machine which IP address you'd like to learn:

    • Windows XP/2000: Go to Start -> Run. Type cmd and click OK. Type ipconfig in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter. The desired address will be displayed in the "IP Address" field for your network connection.
    • Windows Vista/7: Go to Start and type cmd in the search bar, hit Enter. Type ipconfig in the Command Prompt window and hit Enter. The desired address will be displayed in the "IPv4 Address" field for your network connection.
  4. When tSync (or tSyncRemote) is run I see the following message, "Another instance of the program is already running. Close it to re-start it again..."

    This message could be displayed in one of the following cases:

    1. You just exited the tSync (or tSyncRemote module) and it didn't have enough time to close completely (it may take up to several seconds to close all connections).
    2. You just re-installed the tSync (or tSyncRemote module), that caused the previously running version to close. In this case you did not let enough time for the old version to close. Wait for a couple seconds and repeat it again.
    3. tSync program (or tSyncRemote module) was already started either by another user, or as a service in a non-interactive desktop. You do not need to run another instance of the program in this case. In case you want to change settings for the program, or to uninstall it you will have to either log in as the user that initially started the program, or remove it from the Windows auto-start if it's run as a service. Refer to the Question 1 for more information. In case of tSyncRemote module you can also close it using tSync's remote interface "Exit" command (more info).
  5. When I run tSync (or tSyncRemote) it resets my clock one hour behind (or forward). How do I fix that?

    The main reason why this may happen is because your daylight saving option is not set up properly:

    • Windows XP: Double-click on the system clock on the Windows taskbar (in most cases it is located in the bottom right corner of the screen). In the "Date and Time Properties" window switch to the Time Zone tab and make sure that "Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes" is checked. Click OK to save the changes.
    • Windows Vista/7: Left-click on the system clock on the Windows taskbar (in most cases it is located in the bottom right corner of the screen) and select "Change date and time settings". In the "Date and Time" window click "Change time zone" button and make sure that "Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Saving Time" is checked. Click OK to save the changes in every window that was opened.

    The issue may also manifest itself because you do not have the latest update for your operating system from Microsoft. This is especially true for users in U.S. where in 2007 and in 2008 the Congress passed several changes to the way the daylight saving is observed. There are two ways to resolve this issue:

    1. Download and install tSync v.1.2 or later (and tSyncRemote module v.1.2 or later) and specify not to use "Machine's daylight saving" in the tSync Options window for each network connection.
      INFORMATION: In this case you will also have to disable automatic adjustment of the system time according to the daylight saving schedule on each remote machine that causes this issue.
    2. Follow the link below to download and install the following update on each computer where you're running tSync (or tSyncRemote):

      https://support.microsoft.com/kb/951072
  6. How do I learn the computer name of a remote machine on my network?

    Perform the following steps on remote machine which computer name you'd like to learn:

    • Windows 2000: Right click My Computer icon on the desktop and select Properties. In the System Properties window switch to "Network Identification" tab. The name of interest should be displayed on the "Full computer name" line.
    • Windows XP/2003: Go to Start. Right click My Computer and select Properties. In the System Properties window switch to "Computer Name" tab. The name of interest should be displayed on the "Full computer name" line.
    • Windows Vista/7: Click the Microsoft logo (i.e. Start button at the bottom left corner of the screen). From a pop-up menu right-click Computer and select Properties. In the "View basic information about your computer" window the name of interest should be displayed on the "Full computer name" line.
  7. Can I set up tSync to synchronize time and execute commands between two or more machines over the Internet?

    Yes, you can. Although time synchronization over the Internet connection between two or more remote machines is not recommended due to possible accuracy issues, but you can use both tSync and tSyncRemote module to send remote interface commands (read more) between computers on the Internet. To do that you will need the following:

    • One (server) computer connected to the Internet that will run tSync server module. (Note that the static Internet IP address on this computer is not required.)
    • One or more (client) computer with a static Internet IP address that will run tSyncRemote module.
    • tSync server program has to be set up on the host (server) computer (more here).
    • tSyncRemote module(s) have to be set up on each (client) machine (more here).

    Refer to the manual for more information on how to set up both tSync (here) and tSyncRemote module (here). In case of tSync, you can set it up to use static Internet IP addresses to connect to each (client) remote machine.

    INFORMATION: Most certainly each router on the remote end-points will require appropriate port forwarding for the connection port used during tSync installation.
  8. Can I connect more than one tSync server program to a single tSyncRemote machine?

    Yes, you can. In this case make sure not to cause a conflict between multiple-server time synchronizations and/or remote interface commands.

  9. How accurately can tSync synchronize time over network on remote machine(s)?

    To answer this question you need to understand how the network synchronization is performed by tSync (and tSyncRemote module). Each time you instruct tSync to synchronize time on your network the following sequence takes place for each remote machine. (Note that tSync works with one machine at a time and continues on until every machine in the list has been serviced):

    1. tSync sends a request for tSyncRemote to "wake up". (Arrow 1 in the diagram below.)
    2. tSyncRemote remembers the exact time when it received the "wake up" command (T1 in the diagram) and sends response back to tSync. (Arrow 2 in the diagram)
    3. tSync reads the system time, converts it to UTC format (Tm in the diagram) and sends it back to tSyncRemote. (Arrow 3 in the diagram)
    4. tSyncRemote remembers the exact time when it received the UTC time stamp from tSync (T2 in the diagram). At this point the tSyncRemote module has all the information it needs to set the time. It acts in one of two ways:
      1. If the setting to use the daylight saving was specified, tSyncRemote converts the UTC time stamp it received from tSync into the local time according to the Windows daylight saving settings and sets the time according to the following formula:
        Time = Tm + (T2 - T1) 
                        / 2 + DaylightSavingAdjustment
      2. If the daylight saving was not used for this particular remote machine, tSyncRemote sets the time according to the UTC time stamp it received from tSync without adjusting it according to the local daylight saving settings:
        Time = Tm + (T2 - T1) 
                        / 2
    5. Lastly, tSyncRemote sends a confirmation back to tSync that the time synchronization was successful.

    The following diagram illustrates time synchronization over a network connection performed by tSync and tSyncRemote module:

    The internal timers (T1 and T2 in the diagram) used by tSyncRemote are very precise, capable of measuring time intervals down to tens of nanoseconds. The UTC time stamp sent by tSync (Tm in the diagram) has a gradation down to 100-nanosecond intervals. But, still the exact precision used by your system will depend on your hardware.

    So, as you can see the mechanism of time synchronization can be very accurate. It has only one weak spot though - it relies on the fact that the transmission times (arrows 2 and 3 in the diagram) are roughly the same, thus if they are not, the precision of the time synchronization will be diminished.

  10. If remote time synchronization is so precise as described in FAQ 9, why don't I see it on my system?

    Although tSync (and tSyncRemote module) can synchronize time very accurately with the initial time variation measured in tens of milliseconds, the further precision is relegated to your system clock. Unfortunately many (older) PCs were not designed to maintain accurate system time down to milliseconds, thus due to this reason you may see a significant variation between two or more systems. Even within a few minutes.

    Just FYI, on one of our older Dell systems the time difference grows to several seconds within 10 minutes after the initial time synchronization.

    The only workaround in this case could be performing time synchronization more often. In normal circumstances, done once an hour, the time synchronization between remote machines should maintain a sufficient system clock accuracy within several seconds.

  11. Is there a way to export and then import the list of 'Remote Machines' in tSync?

    Regrettably, no. We'll try to issue an update that will be able to do it. Until then you will have to do it manually by using Regedit.

    Here's how:

    • Install and configure tSync.
    • Make sure to set up all remote machines in the list using the user interface, as described here.
    • Open Regedit and export the following key:
      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\from Dennis Babkin\tSync\Settings
    • Then open exported .reg file in the Notepad and edit out everything except these three values, and save changes:
      • SetupEnblNtwkSync
      • SetupRepeatNtwkSync
      • SetupNtwkMachns

      So you'll end up with something like this:

    • Then take this exported .reg file to other computers & repeat steps below for each new system:
      • First, make sure to close tSync completely. For that right-click its icon on the system notification tray (by Windows clock) and select Exit.
      • Import the .reg file (by double-clicking it) and restart tSync. It should now show your list of remote machines.
  12. Are you planning to make tSync (and tSyncRemote) fully compatible with Windows 10?

    The short answer is yes.

    The long answer, it depends. This software has a very small user base, which makes it hard to allocate our time and resources when other projects may require our attention. We still have it on our list of to-do things, and as soon as we have an opportunity we will update tSync (and tSyncRemote) sufficiently enough to make it run on Windows 10 without the need for manual changes in the System Registry and in the Task Scheduler.

    Lastly, if you're asking whether or not we're planning to re-write tSync to make it run as a Windows service (so that interactive user is not required to log in to make tSync work) then the answer is, no. Not in the immediate future. As stated above the user base for this software is small enough for us to justify such a re-write.

    Thank you for your understanding.

 

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