Q. How do I configure an NTP (network time protocol) Server under HP-UX UNIX server as my applications rely on the system clock accuracy to get current time / run reports?
A. NTP is used for time synchronization. Many applications such as backup shell/perl scripts, make utility and others depends upon accurate system time.
HP-UX xntpd server configuration
xntpd server (daemon) is used by HP-UX. Open file /etc/rc.config.d/netdaemons:
# vi /etc/rc.config.d/netdaemons
Make sure following variables are defined and XNTPD is set to 1:
export NTPDATE_SERVER='ntp.mycorp.com pool.ntp.org in.pool.ntp.org'
export XNTPD=1
export XNTPD_ARGS=
Save and close the file. Where,
- NTPDATE_SERVER : space-separated list of timeserver / IPs - If server uses the radio clock / system time, leave the NTPDATE_SERVER blank.
- XNTPD : set it to 1 to enable NTP
- XNTPD_ARGS : set options, see man page
Make sure correct timezone is setup in /etc/TIMEZONE file (look for TZ variable):
# vi /etc/TIMEZONE
Save and close the file. Open /etc/ntp.conf file:
vi /etc/ntp.conf
Make sure server are defined:
server unix-box-ntp
server delhi-ntp
peer delhi-noc-ntp
driftfile /etc/ntp.drift
Close and save the file. Where,
- server : ntp server used (poll) to obtain time
- peer : a peer relationship with another ntp server
- driftfile : track local clock time (drift of the local clock)
Start HP-UX ntp service:
# /sbin/init.d/xntpd start
# /sbin/init.d/xntpd stop <--
stop ntp service
Verify that everything is working fine:
# ntpq -p
Watch out log file /var/adm/syslog/syslog.log for errors:
# tail -f /var/adm/syslog/syslog.log
Make sure xntpd is running:
# ps -ef | grep xntpd
SAM - GUI Admin Tool
=> SAM can also be used to configure NTP service under HP-UX, just start SAM and open time window.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
What does it mean if the NTPDATE_SERVER=”0.0.0.0″ ?
Invalid NTP server address. Something is wrong with your configuration. Check out log files and make sure all updates are applied to HP-UX.
Hi
if I specify my NTPDATE_SERVER=’10.20.5.1 10.20.5.2 10.20.5.3′ in the netconfig
in the /etc/ntp.conf for servers do I specify the above IP addresses also?
server 10.20.5.1
server 10.20.5.2
server 10.20.5.3
etc …
sorry I’m quite new to ntp
Hi Vivek
Thanks for posting this article for hp-ux I was searching this type of configuration steps but could u tell me which version of HP-UX NTP configuration steps you have posted as I have HP-UX version 11.31 and I ‘m not able to see it’s daemon file in /sbin/init.d/ contrary it is available in /sbin as /sbin/xntpd.
Thanks
Charanjit
Hi,
I have followed the above procedure and i was able to synchronize my HP-UX PC to NTP server. But, after it was once synchronized, i have to give the start command again to synchronize the PC.
Can you advice me that what is the procedure to keep the PC continously synchronized to NTP server without giving repeated xntpd start commands.
Dear Ajay,
I’m having the exactly same issue as you: it only syncs during the start up. The process stays alive forever but syncs only once.
Did you ever find a solution?
-antti