How does one configure NTP server on OpenVMS 8.3-1H1 ?

[Scot Newton]

I need to set up a 2 node OpenVMS Integrity server cluster so that it is the NTP server. Simple enough to start the NTP service using tcpip$config, but how does one specify that the cluster is the NTP server?
We have a Linux box that is an NTP client that can not get the time from OpenVMS.
Thanks much in advance.

[Art Wiens]

Just ask Mr. Google:

configure openvms tcpip ntp

first hit:

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/83final/6526/6526pro_030.html

Chapter 13
Configuring and Managing NTP

Shall we read it together? ;-)

â ¢How to configure the host as a backup time server ( Section 13.5)

That sounds like a promising topic.

Cheers,
Art

[Hoff]

Aim the boxes at one or more of the public NTP servers, and be done with it. You can get a list of public NTP servers at

http://www.ntp.org

http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Servers/WebHome

If there is no route to the internet available, consider one of the dedicated NTP servers using (for instance) GPS time base, or (if you have the budget) a cesium fountain clock.

VMS NTP does not have a mechanism for acquiring an external reference time.

Or yes, check the TCP/IP Services documentation for how to configure the NTP time server.

[Bob Blunt]

Scot, if you've configured the NTP service as part of TCPIP configuration then all the remaining magic is contained in the node-specific configuration file which should be in SYS$SPECIFIC:[TCPIP$NTP]. I think that this comes as a template file which you will need to edit and rename to TCPIP$NTP.CONF there are *some* instructions in this file that may answer more of your questions about configuring your VMS system.

If your VMS system is to be an NTP server I'd still recommend using something else as a time source. If you have or can get a GPS-based source with an IP address for your direct needs then you can use that as your "stratum 0" source. If you need to use an outside source then, as Hoff suggested, find a public source(s) and note their "stratum" level and your VMS system would be "+1" I must admit that I'd need a read-through of the NTP setup part of TCPIP Services documentation to know if there were any special requirements in the config file to make or enable your VMS system as an NTP server.

If you're using V5.6 of TCPIP Services then you should probably read:

http://h71000.www7.hp.com/doc/83final/6526/6526pro_030.html#ntp_config

specifically starting with chapter 13.4

bob

[Scot Newton]

Modifying sys$specific:tcpip$ntp.conf seemed a little counter-intuitive at first given the inline documentation, but got it. Thanks!