Is It Time to Fall Back?

How the Daylight Saving Time Patch Can Affect Your Network

The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005, passed by the U.S. Congress July 2005, extended daylight saving time in the U.S. by approximately four weeks. As a result, DST for the U.S. started three weeks earlier on March 11, 2007, and will end one week later on November 4, 2007, resulting in a new DST period that is four weeks longer than previously observed. These changes prompted software makers to release daylight saving time (DST) patches to adjust the system times on computers, and any machine that has been properly patched will have no problems with the automatic time change that will be occurring on the 4th of November.

Any machine that has been recently rebuilt, or any new installation of a database or mail application (such as SQL or Exchange) needs to be appropriately patched, otherwise the system time will revert to the original October 28 target for daylight savings rather than the new date of November 04. Un-patched systems can cause problems with calendars and meeting requests, server communications, logging in, security, remote access, and backups. Installing patches and updates is a standard procedure for operating system and application installations, but as a precaution All Covered recommends that critical systems be checked to ensure that there will be no conflicts during the modified daylight savings time period.

How to Check Your Software

You can run a simple test for any workstation by going to: http://ping.stonybrook.edu/DST/
For servers and server-based applications, it is best to reference the Microsoft Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst

How All Covered Can Help

If this is an issue for your business, All Covered provides technology consulting and services for small businesses nationwide.

• Call us: For a personal consultation, call our friendly sales team at 866-446-1133
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