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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- Last Updated: 01/15/08
{ 3 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