How Time Servers Work on BrightSign Players

Owned by BrightSign TechDocs
Last updated: Sept 24, 2024
2 min read

BrightSign players use Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP), which is compatible with standard Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers. Players can communicate with standard NTP servers, and players support setting their time using the HTTP and SNTP time protocols.

Time Configuration Workflow

At startup, the player makes multiple attempts to connect to the time server (http://time.brightsignnetwork.com/). The player must have Internet access in order to sync the time with the BrightSign timeserver. If an attempt is successful, the player will set its clock and then communicate with the time server every 12 hours to re-calibrate it.

If the initial attempt fails, and the response takes less than eight seconds, the player tries again immediately. If the response takes longer than eight seconds, the player waits two minutes to try again. Each time there's a failure taking less than eight seconds, the player waits a little longer to retry.

A change to a player's time server settings through the BSN.cloud causes the player to check the time server as soon as it downloads the updated sync file during the next point of communication between the BSN.cloud and the player. Port 123 (for NTP) and port 80 (for HTTP) must be open to set the time (see this page).

URL Construction Examples

Construction examples:

  • ntp://host - Uses NTP

  • http://host[:port] - Uses HTTP [with an optional port]

  • https://host[:port] - Uses HTTPS [with an optional port]

  • httpns://host[:port] - Uses HTTPS [with an optional port], but ignores cert failures

Setting the time server via HTTPS (using the https:// prefix) is not recommended because the connection will fail due to missing/incorrect certificates if the player’s current time setting is invalid or too far off, and it won’t be able to correct its time setting without being able to connect to the time server, requiring manual intervention and possibly physical access to correct.

If HTTPS must be used, use the httpns:// prefix (note the n before the s) and thoroughly test its functionality by performing a factory reset on the player and ensuring it is able to set its time afterward.

Notes