[Samba] Re: Time server

[Mac]

Hi all,

>
>Thanks.  I've set that up but it doesn't seem to be doing anything :-(
>
>I found other, very similar instructions on the 'net...
>
>Under "my computer", "manage", "services & applications", "services" made
>sure that Windows Time was set to start automatically.  Then in a DOS box
>ran the following commands
>
>net stop "Windows Time"
>net time /setsntp:172.16.15.4  (my samba server)
>net start "Windows Time"
>
>
>I *can* use the DOS command:    net time \\172.16.15.4 /SET /y   and the
>clock
>does sync to the server.
>


I've just been fighting with this myself, and I _think_ I've got a firm
understanding.


There are _two_ ways that a modern (W2K, XP) box can talk to time servers,
NetBIOS and SNTP.

_Both_ are accessed with the 'net time' command, but unconnected to each other.

So, if you use `net time \\someserver /set /yes'  then that will use the NetBIOS
style of getting the time (i.e from an SMB server).

But, if you use `net time /setsntp:some-other-server'. then that will
configure which SNTP server(s) the "Windows Time" (w32time) service will talk
to.


Obviously 'some-other-server' must speak NTP (which Samba, naturally) doesn't
do.  You need (something like) xntpd instead.  (You can of course rrun Samba
and an NTP serer on the same server.


In XP the 'w32tm' command is expanded to allow you to update the config of the
"Windows Time" service on the fly ('w32tm /config /update').  Note that you
_must_ either use this command or stop and start the w32time service for any
changes to take effect (that includes changes made by 'net time /setsntp:')!


Also, some useful info is available from (XP's) 'w32tm /monitor' and
'w32tm /dumpreg /subkey:parameters'


Right, enough of this off-topic nonsense......


                               Mac
          Assistant Systems Adminstrator @nibsc.ac.uk
                        dmccann at nibsc.ac.uk
   Work: +44 1707 641565          Everything else: +44 7956 237670 (anytime)