topic Re: Server time runs away in Operating System - HP-UX

Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:17:04 GMT

OK, I have this L class box running 11.23 and it's time runs away badly, about 30 seconds per minute. I just reset the time very recently under 10 minutes ago and it's already 5 minutes in the future? How's is that possible?
What can cause this behavior?

I did stop and restart xntpd to no avail.

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:26:06 GMT

You might have a hardware problem which is manifesting itself by drifting the time away from norm.

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:31:10 GMT

This isn't NTP, no adjtime() would ever make time slew that rapidly. The first question I would ask is "are you sure?"
Next do a
getconf CLK_TCK
getconf CLOCKS_PER_SEC

CLK_TCK should report 100
CLOCKS_PER_SEC should report 1000000

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 14:41:37 GMT

Read the patch notes for PHSS_32705. There is a firmware bug which sounds very much like yours on some models although the drift rate is 15 min/hr. The bad news is that this is for 11.11 and there is no 11.23 version of the firmware patch but you could probably force the swinstall if it is applicable to your situation.

Re: Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:07:07 GMT

the getconf values come OK, just like above.

The machine had its system board replaced a few days ago, I wonder if it's connected somehow.

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:20:58 GMT

Seems like the TKB doc below might help:

http://www1.itrc.hp.com/service/cki/docDisplay.do?docLocale=en&docId=emr_na-c00960055-2

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:25:34 GMT

First thing to check would be what firmware version are you running and do you fall under the conditions mentioned in the PHSS_32705 notes. Replacing a systemboard could definitely drop you to an old firmware release or the systemboard could not be correctly configured for your processors.

Re: Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:46:10 GMT

How do I check what firmware I am running on?

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:51:10 GMT

Thru STM as follows:

# echo 'scl q cpu;il;wait;il;done' | cstm | grep "Firmware Revision"

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:52:20 GMT

Thru STM as follows:

# echo 'scl q cpu;info;wait;il;done' | cstm | grep "Firmware Revision"

Re: Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 15:58:38 GMT

Firmware revision is 44.28

The machine is 11.23 L2000-44

How can I confirm that the firmware revision is right?

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:00:31 GMT

If I can assume that you have the online diagnostics (STM) installed:

echo "selclass qualifier cpu;infolog" | /usr/sbin/cstm | grep -i "PDC Firmware"

If not then interrupt the boot process and enter the firmware monitors information menu.

Re: Server time runs away

Patrick Wallek — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:01:36 GMT

If you look at the patch information for patch Clay mentioned, you'll see that the patch loads PDC version 44.28.

Patch info here:
http://www2.itrc.hp.com/service/patch/patchDetail.do?patchid=PHSS_32705&sel={hpux:11.11,}&BC=main|search|

So, you are already at the correct firmware level according to that patch.

Re: Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:22:24 GMT

OK... apparently there is an issue with the system board.

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:27:12 GMT

If you read the URL I posted earlier it states that either it is the procesor switch setting or the model string setting of your server. Maybe logging a support call with HP might be your best bet.

Re: Server time runs away

dictum9 — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:41:22 GMT

I have been unable to go to the URL you posted earlier, as it requires some kind of registration I don't have.

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:54:43 GMT

I have pasted the text version of the doc below:

~hope it helps

==============================================================

My real time clock is running too quickly after the ce replaced my system
board. How do I correct this?

RESOLUTION

After changing a system board, the ce needs to verify the switches are
set correctly for the speed of processor being used in the system. If the
switches are incorrect or the model string is showing incorrect in the O/S, the
switches must be set properly and then default the configuration from the BCH
(Boot Console Handler).

MAIN>COnfiguration
CONFIG>DEfault

By defaulting the configuration switch we force the PDH to reread the switch
settings. The switches are then used to set the model string and frequency
devide factor from the clock circuitry to keep the time clock accurate.

If you are unsure of which switch setting is correct please place a
service call and we can help identify the current version of the system board
and cpu speed being used.

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:58:04 GMT

Not being able to access the link means that you are not under support (or that you haven't linked your support handles) but if my poor brain is functioning for an L2000-44 (rp5450?) there are no DIP switches on the systemboard. Who installed the systemboard for you. There is a configuration that is necessary. Of course, the L2000-44 assumes that the model string was set correctly and that may be your fundamental problem.

Re: Server time runs away

A. Clay Stephenson — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:03:46 GMT

By the way, HP takes a very dim view of cutting and pasting Knowledge Base documents (which you must pay for) into the Forums (which are free).

Re: Server time runs away

Sandman! — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 17:20:53 GMT

My apologies...yes Clay is right as the TKB docs are a paid-for resource and not free unlike the forums. Good thing Clay pointed it out and I will remember that for the future. May the "force" be with you Clay.

:D