To create a shared experience, an IT network must provide shared time. To assure network integrity the ""Now"" must be the same throughout, or bad things will happen. But most network administrators don't want to think about time or network time synchronization—and nor should they have to if they apply these five essential elements:

• An accurate and reliable time source
• A timekeeping architecture that fits the organization
• Robust server management
• Robust network time management
• A secure, verifiable audit trail