NTPDATE_SERVER variable?

[Hanry Zhou]

If I use xntpd daemon to sync time with time server, should I also set NTPDATE_SERVER variable in /etc/rc.config.d/netdamaemons

If you take a look at the file /sbin/init.d/xntpd, and if you have settings for variable NTPDATE_SERVER, you will start ntpdate -b, othewise, you only need to start xntpd.

So, if it is necessary to set the time server into the variable of NTPDATE_SERVER?

Thanks,

[Robert-Jan Goossens]

Hi,

If you are using XNTP you do not have to set NTPDATE_SERVER=1 in the /etc/rc.config.d/netdamaemons.

Hope it helps,

Robert-Jan.

[Stefan Farrelly]

No, its not necessary. We dont set it. Only if a server is well behind on time sync and we want it to jump to the correct time at next boot (rather than used xntpd to slowly sync up) then we set NTPDATE_SERVER.

[David_246]

I know taht some say it should, but by just setting up /etc/ntp.conf correct is really enough.

Regs David

[Pete Randall]

The ntpdate -b command is typically used to make gross adjustments to time before starting the xntpd daemon. If you're running xntpd, such gross adjustments should not be necessary, unless your server remains down for extended periods where the time might get out of sync.


Pete

[Hanry Zhou]

Ok, but it sounds it won't hurt, if I do set the variable to time servers. Plus, it will also cover the situation when the system way behind the right time.
Right?

[Pete Randall]

Hanry,

Absolutely!

I can see no harm.


Pete