jbotsford

Configure ESX 3.5 Hosts to sync with Internet Time Servers

ESX 3.5 Hosts

1. Log in to the host.
2. “Su –“ to root.
3. Type the following command: “esxcfg-firewall --enableService ntpClient”.
4. Type the following command: “service ntpd restart”.
5. Type the following command: “chkconfig --level 345 ntpd on”.
6. Edit the ntp.conf file (vi /etc/ntp.conf).
7. Make the following changes to the file (Insert the pound sign to comment out a line):

# Prohibit general access to this service.
#restrict default ignore

# Permit all access over the loopback interface. This could
# be tightened as well, but to do so would effect some of
# the administrative functions.
restrict 127.0.0.1

# -- CLIENT NETWORK -------
# Permit systems on this network to synchronize with this
# time service. Do not permit those systems to modify the
# configuration of this service. Also, do not use those
# systems as peers for synchronization.
# restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap

# --- OUR TIMESERVERS -----
# or remove the default restrict line
# Permit time synchronization with our time source, but do not
# permit the source to query or modify the service on this system.
# restrict mytrustedtimeserverip mask 255.255.255.255 nomodify notrap noquery
# server mytrustedtimeserverip
server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
server 3.us.pool.ntp.org

# --- NTP MULTICASTCLIENT ---
#multicastclient # listen on default 224.0.1.1
# restrict 224.0.1.1 mask 255.255.255.255 notrust nomodify notrap
# restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap

# --- GENERAL CONFIGURATION ---
#
# Undisciplined Local Clock. This is a fake driver intended for backup
# and when no outside source of synchronized time is available. The
# default stratum is usually 3, but in this case we elect to use stratum
# 0. Since the server line does not have the prefer keyword, this driver
# is never used for synchronization, unless no other other
# synchronization source is available. In case the local host is
# controlled by some external source, such as an external oscillator or
# another protocol, the prefer keyword would cause the local host to
# disregard all other synchronization sources, unless the kernel
# modifications are in use and declare an unsynchronized condition.
#
#server 127.127.1.0 # local clock
#fudge 127.127.1.0 stratum 10

#
# Drift file. Put this in a directory which the daemon can write to.
# No symbolic links allowed, either, since the daemon updates the file
# by creating a temporary in the same directory and then rename()'ing
# it to the file.
#
driftfile /var/lib/ntp/drift
broadcastdelay 0.008

#
# Authentication delay. If you use, or plan to use someday, the
# authentication facility you should make the programs in the auth_stuff
# directory and figure out what this number should be on your machine.
#
#authenticate yes

#
# Keys file. If you want to diddle your server at run time, make a
# keys file (mode 600 for sure) and define the key number to be
# used for making requests.
#
# PLEASE DO NOT USE THE DEFAULT VALUES HERE. Pick your own, or remote
# systems might be able to reset your clock at will. Note also that
# ntpd is started with a -A flag, disabling authentication, that
# will have to be removed as well.
#
#keys /etc/ntp/keys

8. Edit the /etc/ntp/step-tickers file by issuing the following command: “vi /etc/ntp/step-tickers”.
9. Add the same servers used in the ntp.conf file.
10. File should like the following:

11. Sync the ESX hosts with its local hardware clock (CMOS) by issuing the following command: “hwclock –systohc”.
12. Monitor the service using the following command: watch “ntpq –p”.