Cisco Systems OL-20932-02 manual Understanding Network Time Protocol NTP Settings

Chapter 2 Installing and Configuring the Cisco Physical Access Gateway

Configuring and Managing the Gateway Using a Direct Connection

Configuring and Managing the Gateway Using a Direct Connection

To enable the Gateway communication with the Cisco PAM appliance, connect a PC to the ETH1 port and use a web browser to enter basic network settings, as described in this section. You can also use the web administration tool to perform basic administration and monitoring tasks, such as upgrading the module firmware or displaying the module serial number.

This section includes the following information:

•Understanding Network Time Protocol (NTP) Settings

•Connecting a PC to the Gateway

•Entering the Gateway Network Settings

•Changing the User Password

•Upgrading the Gateway Firmware Using a Direct Connection

•Displaying Serial Numbers and Other Information

Tip You can also use the Cisco PAM desktop software to enter network settings and upgrade firmware images. See the “Configuring the Gateway Using the Cisco Physical Access Manager” section on page 2-23.

Understanding Network Time Protocol (NTP) Settings

Cisco Systems strongly recommends using a network time protocol (NTP) server to synchronize the date and time clock on each Gateway module, and on the Cisco PAM appliance. This ensures that events and messages between the server and the Gateway modules are in sync. If the time and date are not synchronized, inconsistent system behavior can occur.

We strongly recommend using the same NTP server setting for the Cisco PAM appliance, and for all Gateway modules.

•Gateways can receive the NTP server setting from a DHCP server, or by using the Cisco PAM desktop software.

–To enter the Gateway DHCP settings, see the “Entering the Gateway Network Settings” section on page 2-17.

–If DHCP is used to define the Gateway NTP server, any NTP settings defined using the Cisco PAM desktop software will not apply (the DHCP configuration takes precedence).

–To enter the NTP setting for a single Gateway using Cisco PAM desktop software, choose Hardware from the Doors menu, right-click a Gateway module, and choose Set Gateway Address.

–Beginning with Cisco PAM Release 1.3.0, you can also change the NTP server setting for multiple Gateways (Right-click the Access GW Driver and choose the Set NTP Server command). See the Cisco Physical Access Manager User Guide for instructions.

•To enter the NTP setting on the Cisco PAM server, use the Cisco PAM web administration tool. See the Cisco Physical Access Manager User Guide for instructions.

	Cisco Physical Access Gateway User Guide
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