What is the primary function of Stratum 1 in the NTP hierarchy?

The primary function of Stratum 1 in the Network Time Protocol (NTP) hierarchy is to receive time from Stratum 0 clocks, which are often the most accurate time sources such as atomic clocks or GPS clocks, and then distribute this time to lower stratum levels in the hierarchy. Stratum 1 servers serve as a vital link between highly accurate time sources and the network infrastructure, ensuring that devices connected to the network receive precise time synchronization.

Stratum levels help organize how time is propagated through a network; the lower the stratum number, the closer a server is to the authoritative time source, which means it typically has better accuracy and reliability. Stratum 1 servers are crucial for maintaining time consistency in local networks, enabling services that rely on accurate timekeeping to function correctly, such as logging events, scheduling tasks, or managing time-sensitive transactions.