NTP Configuration Menu
Page 12-13

Configuring a New Server

For the switch to synchronize its time, you must specify a server, or servers, from which the
switch receives time information. This is done with the ntpaddserv command.
To add a synchronization server to a switch, use the command that follows:
ntpaddserv <address> [<keyId><version><minpol>] [prefer]
where <address> is the either the domain name or IP address of the server. The optional
configuration items are described below:
<keyId>. An unsigned 32-bit integer key identifier for encryption authentication. The
default is no key ID.
<version>. The version of NTP being used. The options are versions 1, 2, or 3. If no
number is entered, it is assumed that version 3 is being used.
<minpol>. The minimum poll interval for time checks to this server. The number entered is
seconds raised to the power of 2.
prefer. An identifier that marks this peer as a preferred source of time information. In a
situation where multiple peers could provide time information to this client, the preferred
peer is the one that is used.
For example, to add a peer with an address of 1.1.1.1, a key identifier of 5, using version 3 of
NTP, with a poll time of 16, and marked as a preferred server, you would enter the following:
ntpaddpeer 1.1.1.1 5 3 4 prefer
When you have finished press <return>. A brief message appears confirming the addition of a
new server.

Configuring a Broadcast Time Service

The NTP server can be configured to operate in broadcast mode, where the server sends peri-
odic broadcast messages to a client population by using the broadcast or multicast address
specified. To configure the server to use a broadcast or multicast address, enter the ntpbcast
command as shown:
ntpbcast <address> [<keyId>] [<version>] [<minpol>]
where <address> is the either the domain name or the broadcast or multicast address.
♦ Important Note ♦
A multicast address of 224.0.1.1 has been assigned to
NTP. Presently, this is the only address that should be
used for multicast messages.
The optional configuration items are described below:
<keyId>. An unsigned 32-bit integer key identifier for encryption authentication. The
default is no key ID.
<version>. The version of NTP being used. The options are versions 1, 2, or 3. If no
number is entered, it is assumed that version 3 is being used.
<minpol>. The minimum poll interval for time checks to this server. The number entered is
in seconds raised to the power of 2.