Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize the clocks of network devices to a common reference time. This is crucial for ensuring accurate time stamps in logs, coordinating time-sensitive operations, and maintaining consistent time across all devices in a network.
NTP: Synchronizes clocks of network devices to ensure they have the same time, which is essential for accurate event logging and coordination.
Other Protocols:
DNS: Resolves domain names to IP addresses.
SNMP: Used for monitoring network devices.
NAT: Translates private IP addresses to public IP addresses.
Reference:
Cisco DevNet Associate Certification Guide
Cisco NTP Overview