Amazon Time Sync Service expands microsecond-accurate time to 27 EC2 instance types

Posted on: Jun 25, 2024

The Amazon Time Sync Service now supports clock synchronization within microseconds of UTC on 27 additional Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) instance types in supported regions, including all C7gd, M7gd, and R7gd instances.

Built on Amazon's proven network infrastructure and the AWS Nitro System, customers can now access local, GPS-disciplined reference clocks on additional EC2 instance types. These clocks can be used to more easily order application events, measure 1-way network latency, increase distributed application transaction speed, and incorporate in-region and cross-region scalability features while also simultaneously simplifying technical designs. Additionally, you can audit your clock accuracy from your instance to monitor the expected microsecond-range accuracy. Customers already using the Amazon Time Sync Service on these newly supported instance types will see improved clock accuracy automatically, without needing to adjust their AMI or NTP client settings. Customers can also use standard PTP clients and configure a PTP Hardware Clock (PHC) to get the best accuracy possible. Both NTP and PTP can be used without needing any updates to VPC configurations.

Amazon Time Sync with microsecond-accurate time is available in US East (N. Virginia) and the Tokyo regions on all R7g as well as C7i, M7i, R7i, C7a, M7a, R7a, M7g, C7gd, R7gd, and M7gd instance types. We will be expanding support to additional AWS Regions. There is no additional charge for using this service.

Instructions to configure, and more information on the Amazon Time Sync Service, are available in the EC2 User Guide.