Configuring server date and time

When using NTP, the server first verifies that the specified servers are legitimate; then, over a period of a few hours, gradually adjusts its clock to the time provided by the NTP server. This gradual adjustment is normal, and is designed to minimize the effects of changing the server’s clock on utilities that use file timestamps.

If the time initially set on the storage server differs from the time returned by the NTP servers by more than 15 minutes, the server does not try to synchronize to the NTP time; instead, it records a Warning event in the event log, indicating that the date and time must be manually changed to within 15 minutes of the NTP time.

Parent Topic

• Configuring server date and time

Procedure

1. Navigate to Home Server Settings Date and Time.

   

   NoteProper server operation requires time synchronization with a reliable time source. For example, Kerberos authentication (required when operating with Active Directory) depends on the current time. Clock ’drift’ may also cause inaccurate reporting of file access and modification times, with unexpected results in data migrations. NTP provides the best and most reliable method for maintaining the server’s time accuracy.

   Field/Item	Description
   Time	The current time (in 24-hour format).
   Date	The current date in (YYYY-MM-DD format). To enter a date, click the calendar icon, and then select the date.
   Time Zone	Select from the drop-down list. For guidance on which zone to select, see http://www.worldtimeserver.com.
   NTP Server IP/Name	Enter the IP addresses or names of up to five NTP server(s) you want to use to synchronize the server’s time. The system qualifies and compares all listed NTP servers to determine and set the most accurate time. For servers set up on the private management network, add the SMU’s eth1 IP address to the list of NTP servers. When adding servers, click the down arrow button between entries to add them. To delete an entry, select it, and then click X to delete it from the list.
   apply	Saves configuration changes, and closes the page.

   NoteNever try to compensate for daylight saving by changing the time zone or time in the Time and Date fields. This can cause synchronization problems if you have a dual server configuration or an NTP server.

2. Set the time, date, and time zone.

3. Specify if the time is to be synchronized with the NTP server at boot time.

4. Specify NTP server or servers for the server to access to get accurate time settings.

5. Click apply to save time and date settings, and close the page.

Parent Topic

• Configuring server date and time