Method and apparatus for time synchronization in a network data processing system

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for synchronizing time in a network data processing system. A request for time synchronization is received at a target data processing system. A current target time at the target data processing system is placed in a reply. The reply is sent to the source data processing system. A current source time from when the reply is received at the source data processing system is compared to the current target time to generate a comparison. A synchronization factor is generated using the comparison.

1 . A method for synchronizing time in a network data processing system comprising the data processing system implemented steps of: 
 receiving a request for time synchronization at a target data processing system, wherein the request is received from a source data processing system;    placing a current target time at the target data processing system in a reply;    sending the reply to the source data processing system;    comparing a current source time from when the reply is received at the source data processing system to the current target time to generate a comparison;    generating a synchronization factor using the comparison; and    creating an authentication request, using the synchronization factor, which includes a set of user credentials and a time stamp for an authentication process at a system associated with the target system, wherein the user credentials are valid for a predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         2 - 3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 generating a time stamp for a message using the synchronization factor and a current time in the target data processing system.    
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 storing the synchronization factor.    
     
     
         6 - 32 . (canceled)  
     
     
         33 . A computer program product in a computer readable medium for synchronizing time in a network data processing system, the computer program product comprising: 
 first instructions for receiving a request for time synchronization at a target data processing system, wherein the request is received from a source data processing system;    second instructions for placing a current target time at the target data processing system in a reply;    third instructions for sending the reply to the source data processing system;    fourth instructions for comparing a current source time from when the reply is received at the source data processing system to the current target time to generate a comparison;    fifth instructions for generating a synchronization factor using the comparison; and    sixth instructions for creating an authentication request, using the synchronization factor, which includes a set of user credentials and a time stamp for an authentication process at a system associated with the target system, wherein the user credentials are valid for a predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         34 . (canceled)  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the receiving, placing, and sending steps are performed in the target data processing system and wherein comparing and generating steps are performed in the source data processing system.  
     
     
         36 . The computer program product of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions for generating a synchronization factor further comprises: 
 instructions for generating a time stamp for a message using the synchronization factor and a current time in the target data processing system.    
     
     
         37 . The computer program product of  claim 33 , further comprising: 
 instructions for storing the synchronization factor.    
     
     
         38 . The computer program product of  claim 33 , wherein the instructions for receiving, placing, and sending are located in the target data processing system and wherein the instructions for comparing and generating are located in the source data processing system.  
     
     
         39 . A data processing system comprising: 
 a bus system;    a communications unit connected to the bus, wherein data is sent and received using the communications unit;    a memory connected to the bus system, wherein a set of instructions are located in the memory; and    a processor unit connected to the bus system, wherein the processor unit executes the set of instructions to receive a request for time synchronization at a target data processing system, wherein the request is received from a source data processing system; place a current target time at the target data processing system in a reply; send the reply to the source data processing system; compare a current source time from when the reply is received at the source data processing system to the current target time to generate a comparison; generate a synchronization factor using the comparison; and create an authentication request, using the synchronization factor, which includes a set of user credentials and a time stamp for an authentication process at a system associated with the target system, wherein the user credentials are valid for a predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         40 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the bus system includes a primary bus and a secondary bus.  
     
     
         41 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the processor unit includes a single processor.  
     
     
         42 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the processor unit includes a plurality of processors.  
     
     
         43 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the communications unit is an Ethernet adapter.  
     
     
         44 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the processor unit further executes the set of instructions to generate a time stamp for a message using the synchronization factor and a current time in the target data processing system.  
     
     
         45 . The data processing system of  claim 39  further comprising the processor unit executing the set of instructions to store the synchronization factor.  
     
     
         46 . The data processing system of  claim 39 , wherein the set of instructions to receive, place, and send are located in the target data processing system and wherein set of instructions to compare and generate are located in the source data processing system.