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olePigeon · Feb 18, 2004, 05:54 PM

Our firewall prevents all the computers from using the NTP protocal so none of the computers can sync their clocks with Apple's Network Time Server. I was wondering if Panther has an NTP server built in so I don't have to download 3rd party software.

Thanks

Millennium · Feb 18, 2004, 06:13 PM

I don't think the Client does, but last I checked Server did.

What's the problem with third-party software anyway?

olePigeon · Feb 18, 2004, 07:03 PM

Originally posted by Millennium:
I don't think the Client does, but last I checked Server did.

What's the problem with third-party software anyway?

Because installing software on our server in the middle of the semester is a bad idea. If something should happen, it's not a good time to have to take the server down when litterally hundreds of people rely on it.

Mojo-ike · Feb 19, 2004, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Our firewall prevents all the computers from using the NTP protocal so none of the computers can sync their clocks with Apple's Network Time Server. I was wondering if Panther has an NTP server built in so I don't have to download 3rd party software.

Thanks

you should be able to specify which machine you want to use on your local network for the time server in the date and time control panel. the ntpd daemon running on the specified machine should handle local queries.

in other words, the ntpd (network time protocol daemon) usually works in a client/server type setup. so you can pick one (osx) machine on your local network to be the replacemnt for the apple server and set all the other machines to use that server as the time server (under date and time control panel).

i played with this at work using a 10.3 machine and a solaris machine and it worked fine.

a note: you have to make sure that the ntpd is running on your self appointed time server. you can do this by hand, but it is easiest if you check the use ntp server in the date and time control panel - despite the fact that it cant get through the firewall.

Oneota · Feb 19, 2004, 10:09 PM

C'mon - you're running Mac OS X Server. It's easier than you're making it.

1) In the Server Admin app, connect to your server.
2) Click on the server name in the list on the left (not one of the services, but the server name).
3) In the left-hand portion of the window, click the "Advanced" tab.
4) Click "Enable NTP"

You now have a local time server.

Unless, of course, the machine isn't running Mac OS X Server, in which case you'll have to check out the man pages for the "ntdp" daemon, figure out how to configure it, get it running, etc.

But yeah, all Macs running OS X have an NTP server. It's at /usr/sbin/ntpd.

olePigeon · Feb 20, 2004, 05:49 PM

Do I just put the IP in on the clients, or what? I get an immediate error about not being able to sync.

Originally posted by Oneota:
C'mon - you're running Mac OS X Server. It's easier than you're making it.

1) In the Server Admin app, connect to your server.
2) Click on the server name in the list on the left (not one of the services, but the server name).
3) In the left-hand portion of the window, click the "Advanced" tab.
4) Click "Enable NTP"

You now have a local time server.

Unless, of course, the machine isn't running Mac OS X Server, in which case you'll have to check out the man pages for the "ntdp" daemon, figure out how to configure it, get it running, etc.

But yeah, all Macs running OS X have an NTP server. It's at /usr/sbin/ntpd.

olePigeon · Feb 20, 2004, 05:56 PM

Nevermind, it's in my Network Admin book. Should've looked there first.

olePigeon · Feb 20, 2004, 06:01 PM

Ok, this is gay. The XServe has to be able to connect to an outside NTP server before IT can host as an NTP server.

Oneota · Feb 20, 2004, 06:57 PM

Originally posted by olePigeon:
Ok, this is gay. The XServe has to be able to connect to an outside NTP server before IT can host as an NTP server.

Really?? You sure 'bout that? The documentation says it's "recommended," but it doesn't say it's required.

olePigeon · Feb 22, 2004, 07:05 PM

Originally posted by Oneota:
Really?? You sure 'bout that? The documentation says it's "recommended," but it doesn't say it's required.

Can't seem to get it to work, I'll have to futs with it when I get back to work.

wadesworld · Feb 23, 2004, 08:53 AM

No, it doesn't have to connect externally.

But, all the clients will be syncing off the clock of that Mac, which is not very accurate. Typically you want your master NTP server to be able to go through the firewall and sync with a good time source somewhere.

So, no, it's not required, but don't be upset when the time is not at all accurate.

Since you used the word semester, it sounds like you might be at a university. Is that the case? If so, most all universities usually have a master NTP server in their network that you could sync to without having to go through the firewall.

Wade