NTP stands for Network Time Protocol, and it is a standard protocol for synchronizing the clocks of network devices over the internet12. NTP uses a hierarchical system of time servers, where each server obtains the time from a higher-level server or a reference clock, and provides the time to lower-level servers or clients12.
NTP settings on a network device determine how the device obtains and maintains the accurate time from an NTP server, such as the server address, the polling interval, the authentication method, and the time zone34. If the NTP settings are incorrect or outdated, the device may have a wrong or inconsistent time stamp on its log messages34.
To ensure the log message time stamps are correct, the network administrator should change the NTP settings on the network device to match the correct NTP server, time zone, and other parameters34. This will allow the device to synchronize its clock with the NTP server and generate accurate time stamps on its log messages34.
The other options are not relevant or effective for resolving the issue. Changing the time on the syslog server will not affect the time stamps generated by the network device5. Updating the network device firmware may not address the NTP settings or the time stamp format6. Adjusting the timeout settings on the syslog server will not change the time stamps received from the network device7. Adjusting the SSH settings on the network device will not impact the NTP settings or the log messages8. Reference:
1: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide, Chapter 2: Network Protocols and Services, Section 2.3: NTP
2: Professor Messer's CompTIA N10-008 Network+ Course Notes, Page 9: NTP
3: Cisco IOS Configuration Fundamentals Command Reference, Release 12.2, Chapter: NTP Commands
4: Juniper Networks, Configuring NTP
5: Syslog and timestamps - Splunk Documentation7
6: Cisco, How to Upgrade the Firmware on a Cisco Device
7: Syslog Message from different Time Zone, Timestamp Syslog-ng - Splunk Community6
8: Cisco IOS Security Command Reference: Commands S to Z, Release 12.4T, Chapter: SSH Commands
9: CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Certification Study Guide2
10: Professor Messer's CompTIA Network+ N10-008 Training Course5
11: NTP Commands
12: Configuring NTP
13: How to Upgrade the Firmware on a Cisco Device
14: SSH Commands