XNTP Configuration UPS Scripts

[last updated Thu Jan 3 10:44:27 CST 2002]

Overview

The xntp freeware product provides a common implementation of Network Time Protocol (NTP) for numerous platforms. UAS has received several requests to distribute xntp as a product; the major issue is appropriate configuration of the xntpd daemons.

For more information on how ntp is supported at Fermilab please see the Datacomm web page ntp support

The xntp product should be configured to listen to broadcast NTP packets providing time updates. Datacomm will configure the local routers to synchronize with central clock servers, and broadcast NTP updates.

On subnets where for some reason the NTP broadcasts are not appropriate, clients can be configured to poll their nearest router for NTP information.

Startup

All hosts will initially set the date from site routers, (trying first their default router, then 131.225.8.200 and 131.225.17.200) with "ntpdate" before starting "xntpd", so that the time will be approxomately correct before the "xntpd" process starts, and less adjustment time will be required to get the local clock in sync with the correct time.