EMC® VNX™ Series

Release 7.1

Configuring Time Services on VNX™

P/N 300-013-801 Rev 01

EMC Corporation
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2 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Contents

Preface.....................................................................................................5

Chapter 1: Introduction...........................................................................9
System requirements.............................................................................................10
Cautions..................................................................................................................10
User interface choices...........................................................................................10
Related information..............................................................................................11

Chapter 2: Concepts.............................................................................13
NTP..........................................................................................................................14
SNTP........................................................................................................................14
Time distribution...................................................................................................14
Select NTP servers.................................................................................................15
Clock adjustment...................................................................................................16
Time zones..............................................................................................................16
Time services..........................................................................................................17

Chapter 3: Configuring.........................................................................19
Start Data Mover time services............................................................................20
Start time services — Example 1...............................................................20
Start time services — Example 2...............................................................21
Start time services — Example 3...............................................................21
Verify the time services configuration................................................................22

Chapter 4: Managing............................................................................23
Set the Data Mover system time..........................................................................24
Update the Data Mover system time..................................................................24

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 3

Contents

Stop Data Mover time services............................................................................24

Delete a Data Mover time services configuration.............................................25
View Data Mover time services statistics...........................................................25
Set the Data Mover time and date manually.....................................................26
Display the current time and date for the Data Mover....................................27
Set a time zone by using the POSIX-method.....................................................28
Verify the time zone....................................................................................28
Set a time zone by using the Linux method......................................................29

Chapter 5: Troubleshooting..................................................................31
EMC E-Lab Interoperability Navigator..............................................................32
Diagnose problems................................................................................................32
Error messages.......................................................................................................33
EMC Training and Professional Services...........................................................33

Appendix A: Windows Domain Controller as a Time Server..............35

Configure a domain controller as a time server................................................36

Appendix B: Control Station as a Time Server....................................39

Create an NTP configuration file........................................................................40
Start Control Station time services......................................................................40
Stop Control Station time services......................................................................41
Disable Control Station time services automatic restart..................................41
Enable Control Station time services automatic restart...................................42
Verify a Control Station time services configuration.......................................43
Synchronize the Data Mover time services.......................................................44

Glossary..................................................................................................45

Index.......................................................................................................47

4 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Preface

As part of an effort to improve and enhance the performance and capabilities of its product lines,
EMC periodically releases revisions of its hardware and software. Therefore, some functions described
in this document may not be supported by all versions of the software or hardware currently in use.
For the most up-to-date information on product features, refer to your product release notes.
If a product does not function properly or does not function as described in this document, please
contact your EMC representative.

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 5

 Preface

Special notice conventions

EMC uses the following conventions for special notices:

Note: Emphasizes content that is of exceptional importance or interest but does not relate to personal
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Identifies content that warns of potential business or data loss.

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DANGER Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided, will result in death or serious
injury.

Where to get help

EMC support, product, and licensing information can be obtained as follows:

Product information — For documentation, release notes, software updates, or for

information about EMC products, licensing, and service, go to the EMC Online Support
website (registration required) at http://Support.EMC.com.
Troubleshooting — Go to the EMC Online Support website. After logging in, locate
the applicable Support by Product page.
Technical support — For technical support and service requests, go to EMC Customer
Service on the EMC Online Support website. After logging in, locate the applicable
Support by Product page, and choose either Live Chat or Create a service request. To
open a service request through EMC Online Support, you must have a valid support
agreement. Contact your EMC sales representative for details about obtaining a valid
support agreement or with questions about your account.

Note: Do not request a specific support representative unless one has already been assigned to
your particular system problem.

6 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Preface

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Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 7

 Preface

8 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 1

Introduction

Time services configuration is one of the basic tasks that you must perform
to ensure the correct operation of VNX. This document describes how to
configure and use time services on the Data Movers in VNX. VNX System
Operations describes how to set the time zone for the system and how to
manually set the current date and time on the Control Station.
This document is part of the VNX documentation set and is intended for
use by the system administrators responsible for configuring and
maintaining the file storage and network retrieval infrastructure. This
section includes some terminology and restrictions that you should be
familiar before configuring or modifying network settings.
Topics included are:
◆ System requirements on page 10
◆ Cautions on page 10
◆ User interface choices on page 10
◆ Related information on page 11

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 9

Introduction

System requirements
Table 1 on page 10 describes the EMC® VNX™ software, hardware, network, and storage
configurations.

Table 1. System requirements

Software VNX 7.0.

Hardware No specific hardware requirements.

Network To use NTP with VNX, at least one NTP server on the network must be accessible to the file server.
To use the Control Station as a time server for the Data Movers, time services must be configured and
started on the Control Station.

Storage No specific storage requirements.

Cautions
If any of the following information is unclear, contact your EMC Customer Support
Representative for assistance:
◆ Do not use the Control Station as time server for the Data Movers in the VNX system.
Use standard time servers for all clients and services whenever possible.
◆ If you have configured time services on the Data Movers to use the Control Station as
the only time server, either stop time services on the Data Movers or configure additional
time servers on the Data Movers before stopping the time service on the Control Station.

User interface choices

VNX offers flexibility in managing networked storage that is based on the support
environment and interface preferences. This document describes how to configure VNX
time services by using the command line interface (CLI). You can also perform some of these
tasks using one of the following VNX management applications:
◆ EMC Unisphere™
◆ Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins
◆ Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) extensions
The following documents provide additional information about managing your VNX:
◆ Unisphere online help
◆ Application’s online help system in the VNX Documentation on EMC Online Support

10 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Introduction

Installing VNX Management Applications includes instructions on launching the Unisphere

software, and on installing the MMC snap-ins and the ADUC extensions.

Related information
The following documents provide specific information related to the features and
functionality described in this document:

◆ EMC VNX Command Line Interface Reference for File

◆ VNX System Operations
◆ Configuring and Managing Networking on VNX
◆ VNX for File man pages

EMC VNX documentation on the EMC Online Support website

The complete set of EMC VNX series customer publications is available on the EMC
Online Support website. To search for technical documentation, go to
http://Support.EMC.com. After logging in to the website, click the VNX Support by
Product page to locate information for the specific feature required.

Related information 11
Introduction

12 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 2

Concepts

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) and Simple Network Time Protocol
(SNTP) provide the mechanism for keeping the current time synchronized
on multiple systems in a network. A hierarchical structure of time servers
distributes a timestamp, which the clients use to adjust their system time.
The time distributed by the servers is expressed in coordinated universal
time (UTC) and is independent of the client’s and server’s time zone. The
network data format is identical for NTP and SNTP.
The Data Mover implements an NTP client that can synchronize the system
clock with that of an NTP or SNTP server. In all commands and in the
remaining part of this document, the term NTP server is used to refer to
either NTP or SNTP servers.
For many applications to work correctly, the client and server time must
be approximately the same. For example, Kerberos that is supported in
Windows and certain UNIX environments, requires all clients and servers
to be synchronized to within at least five minutes.
Topics included are:
◆ NTP on page 14
◆ SNTP on page 14
◆ Time distribution on page 14
◆ Select NTP servers on page 15
◆ Clock adjustment on page 16
◆ Time zones on page 16
◆ Time services on page 17

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 13

Concepts

NTP
NTP is a standard time-keeping protocol used on many platforms that include Microsoft
Windows and UNIX environments. The full NTP specification uses sophisticated algorithms
for time correction and maintenance to allow time synchronization with an accuracy of
about a millisecond. This high level of accuracy is achieved even in large networks with
long network delays, or in cases where access to a time server is lost for extended time
periods.

SNTP
SNTP implements a subset of NTP for use in environments with less-stringent
synchronization and accuracy requirements. SNTP uses simple algorithms for time correction
and maintenance and is capable of accuracy to a fraction of a second. To an NTP or SNTP
client, NTP and SNTP servers are indistinguishable.

Time distribution
NTP and SNTP are implemented in a hierarchy of time servers, with public servers
synchronized with reference clocks at the top of the hierarchy and NTP clients at the bottom.
Intermediate nodes can be clients and servers. The public time servers distribute time to
clients at no cost. Typically, organizations synchronize one or a few local servers to a public

14 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Concepts

server, and then distribute the time within the organization using those local time servers.
Figure 1 on page 15 shows a simplified example of a time server distribution hierarchy.

Figure 1. Time server hierachy

There is no need to synchronize with a public time server for time services to work correctly
on VNX. Select NTP servers on page 15 provides more information on choosing the NTP
servers.

Select NTP servers

The key to successful time synchronization is the selection of time servers. For some
applications to work correctly, the client and server must have system time approximately
the same. The best way to do this is to configure VNX and client systems to use the same
time servers. That is, all systems with coordinated time values should determine those values
based on a common reference time source. For example, Data Movers should have the same
NTP servers as the domain controllers of a Windows Active Directory environment. For the
same reason, it is ideal to use the same time servers for the Data Movers and Control Station
to provide coordinated time between Control Station and server logs.

Select NTP servers 15

Concepts

If you do not have a dedicated NTP infrastructure for time control, use a Windows Server
2003 or Windows 2000 domain controller as a time server for a Data Mover.

Note: By default, all Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 domain controllers can operate as time
servers. Furthermore, within a Windows Active Directory environment, all domain controllers operating
as time servers synchronize with the domain controller in the root domain of the forest.

If there is no need for time coordination with clients of a Data Mover, then the Control
Station can be used as a time server for the Data Mover.

CAUTION Do not use the Control Station as a time server for the Data Movers in the VNX system.
Use only standard time servers for all clients and services when possible.

Clock adjustment
A clock offset is calculated after a successful poll of the time server. The clock offset is the
difference between the local time and the time retrieved from the server. The offset can be
positive or negative, which means that the local time is either ahead of or behind the time
server. Under normal circumstances, SNTP makes time corrections by slewing the system
clock. This means instead of applying the time offset directly, the system time is gradually
increased or decreased to bring the local time into agreement with the time server. This
process ensures that the time does not change abruptly and the clock never appears to be
set behind.
The slew rate on a Data Mover is about 10 percent, which means that it takes approximately
1 hour to make a 6-minute correction in system time. Normally, system startup does not
slew the clock because the time offset is often too large to adjust in a reasonable amount of
time. However, you can force the Data Mover to slew the time correction on system startup.
To correct the system time immediately, force a new time query and immediately set the
system clock to the returned time, rather than slewing the clock. Alternatively, you can force
a query, but slew the clock to adjust it to the returned time rather than adjusting it
immediately.

Time zones
It is possible to set a time zone on a Data Mover. Each Data Mover keeps its own, separate,
universal time (GMT by default). Setting the time zone does not change the Data Mover
time. It only changes the way the Data Mover interprets that time when it needs to generate
text-time strings during processing. In other words, the Data Mover generates a time for
the set time zone.

Note: Setting a time zone on a Data Mover is not necessary unless you want an application, such as
Checkpoint Virtual File System (CVFS), Virus Checker, or File Transfer Protocol (FTP) to generate a
time based upon the local time zone.

16 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Concepts

VNX provides two optional procedures to update the time zone information on the Data
Mover:
◆ Set a time zone by using the POSIX-method on page 28 provides a procedure to manually
update the time zone information on a Data Mover by using a POSIX string as input.
The Control Station contains the time zone database with each time zone represented by
a separate file in the directory.
◆ Set a time zone by using the Linux method on page 29 provides a procedure to update
the time zone information on the Data Mover that uses simple and decipherable strings,
corresponding to the time zones available in the Control Station. It also updates the
daylight savings time in the Data Mover for the specified time zone. You might find it
more convenient to set the time zone by using this procedure.

Time services
When starting time services on a Data Mover, up to four NTP servers can be specified, using
the NTP servers’ IP addresses. These servers must run the NTP protocol.

Note: The term NTP server is used to refer to either NTP or SNTP servers.

The time services client on the Data Mover polls the specified time servers in the order
specified. After sending the polling message, the Data Mover waits for a reply. When a reply
is received, the time services client corrects the time. If no reply is received, the Data Mover
polls the next time server on the list.
If no time servers are specified, the Data Mover attempts to discover NTP servers on the
network, and then automatically configures up to four time servers.

Note: EMC recommends defining specific NTP servers whenever possible.

For the Data Movers in VNX, you can do one of the following:
◆ Start time services immediately by setting the system clock to the returned value.
◆ Start time services, and begin a gradual change of the system clock to the returned value
by slewing the system time.
In either case, use the -interval option to specify the interval between polls of the time server.

Note: You cannot configure time services on a Virtual Data Mover (VDM). A VDM’s time services
configuration is based on its associated physical Data Mover.

Start Data Mover time services on page 20 describes the procedure for starting time services.

Time services 17
Concepts

18 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 3

Configuring

The tasks to configure time services are:

◆ Start Data Mover time services on page 20
◆ Verify the time services configuration on page 22

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 19

Configuring

Start Data Mover time services

Starting time services on a Data Mover consists of one of the following tasks:
◆ Start time services — Example 1 on page 20
Start time services on a Data Mover and immediately set the system time to the value
returned by the specified time server.

◆ Start time services — Example 2 on page 21

Start time services on a Data Mover and immediately set the system time to the value
returned by the specified time server as well as specify the interval between polls of the
time server.

◆ Start time services — Example 3 on page 21

Start time services on a Data Mover and gradually modify the system time to the value
returned by the specified time server.

Time services on page 17 provides information about starting time services.

Start time services — Example 1

Time services are not automatically started on the Data Mover after initialization. However,
EMC recommends that you always configure time synchronization between a Data Mover
and an external time source.

Action
To start time services on a Data Mover and immediately set the system time to the value returned by the specified time
server, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc start ntp [<host>[,<host>,...]]
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<host> = IP address of time server

Example:
To start the time service on server_2 and immediately set the system time to the first value returned by the time server,
that uses the default interval between polls of the timer server to one hour, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc start ntp 192.168.21.250

Output
server_2 : done

20 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Configuring

Start time services — Example 2

Action
To start time services on a Data Mover and immediately set the system time to the value returned by the specified time
server, and to specify the interval between polls of the time server, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc start ntp [-interval <hh>[:<mm>]]
[<host>[,<host>,...]]
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<hh> = hours

<mm> = minutes

<host> = IP address of time server

Example:
To start the time service on server_2 and immediately set the system time to the first value returned by the time server,
and set the interval between polls of the time server to one hour, 30 minutes, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc start ntp -interval 01:30 192.168.21.250

Output
server_2 : done

Start time services — Example 3

Action
To start time services on a Data Mover and begin gradually modifying the system time to the value returned by the specified
time server, and specifying the interval between polls of the time server, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc start ntp [-sync_delay] [-interval
<hh>[:<mm>]] [<host>[,<host>,...]]

where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<hh> = hours

<mm> = minutes

<host> = IP address of NTP server

Example:
To start the time service on server_2 and begin slewing the system time to match the first value returned by the time
server, and set the interval between polls of the time server to one hour, 30 minutes, type:

Start Data Mover time services 21

Configuring

Action
$ server_date server_2 timesvc start ntp -sync_delay -interval 01:30 192.168.21.250

Output
server_2 : done

Verify the time services configuration

Action
To verify the time services configuration on a Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To display the time service configuration for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc

Output

server_2 :

Timeservice State

time: Tue Jul 2 11:02:53 EDT 2004

type: sntp
sync delay:off
interval: 90
hosts: 192.168.21.250

Note
If you did not start time synchronization with an external time source by issuing the server_date <movername> timesvc
start ntp command, the output is blank.

22 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 4

Managing

Managing time services on a Data Mover consists of some or all of the

following tasks:
◆ Set the Data Mover system time on page 24
◆ Update the Data Mover system time on page 24
◆ Stop Data Mover time services on page 24
◆ Delete a Data Mover time services configuration on page 25
◆ View Data Mover time services statistics on page 25
◆ Set the Data Mover time and date manually on page 26
◆ Display the current time and date for the Data Mover on page 27
◆ Set a time zone by using the POSIX-method on page 28
◆ Set a time zone by using the Linux method on page 29

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 23

Managing

Set the Data Mover system time

Action
To immediately set the system time on a Data Mover to the value returned by a time server without allowing the normal
slewing to occur, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc set ntp
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To poll the time server for the time and set the system time for server_2 to the value returned by the timer server, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc set ntp

Output
server_2 : done

Update the Data Mover system time

Action
To force the Data Mover to poll a time server and start a gradual synchronization of the system time on a Data Mover to
the time returned by the time server, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc update ntp
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To poll the timer server and start a gradual synchronization (slewing) of the system time on server_2 to the time returned
by the time server, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc update ntp

Output
server_2 : done

Stop Data Mover time services

Action
To stop the time services on a Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc stop ntp

24 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Managing

Action
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To stop the timer service on server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc stop ntp

Output
server_2 : done

Delete a Data Mover time services configuration

To change a time services configuration, you must delete the existing configuration and
then re-create it.

Action
To delete the time services configuration on a Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc delete ntp
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To delete the time services configuration for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc delete ntp

Output
server_2 : done

View Data Mover time services statistics

Action
To view time services statistics on a Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc stats ntp
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To display time services statistics for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc stats ntp

Delete a Data Mover time services configuration 25

Managing

Output

server_2 :

Time synchronization statistics since start:

hits= 121, misses= 1, first poll hit= 0, miss= 1
Last offset: 0 secs, -57639 usecs
Time sync hosts:
0 1 10.6.8.61

Note
The output includes the list of time servers and the time offset calculated from the most recent poll, -57639 microseconds
or about 58 milliseconds.
The two fields before the IP address under Time sync hosts are the type and the priority fields. The type field determines
if the host in question was configured by an operator or if it was auto-detected (0 = operator configured, 1 = auto-detected).
The priority depends on the type. If the host was configured, the priority is 1, otherwise the priority is equal to the time
server stratem, which indicates how accurate the time server source is (1 means the greatest accuracy while a greater
number means less accuracy). When a number of hosts is auto-detected, the four fastest hosts are kept at the top. Servers
that respond later can displace only a server with a lower (numerically higher) priority. Therefore, auto-detected servers
are ordered by their priority and by how quickly they responded. As configured servers have a priority of 1, they cannot
be displaced by an auto-detected server.

Set the Data Mover time and date manually

Action
To manually set the time and date on a Data Mover instead of configuring time synchronization with an external time
source, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> <yymmddhhmm>[<ss>]
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<yymmddhhmm>[<ss>] = year, month, day, hour (in 24-hour system), minutes, and seconds

Example:
To manually set the time and date to 1:36 P.M. on July 16, 2004 for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 0407161336

Output
server_2 : done

26 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Managing

Display the current time and date for the Data Mover
Action
To display the current time and date for the Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername>
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

Example:
To display the time services configuration for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2

Output
server_2 : Thu Jul 16 13:36:13 EDT 2004

Display the current time and date for the Data Mover 27
Managing

Set a time zone by using the POSIX-method

Time zones on page 16 provides information about setting the time zone by using the
POSIX-method.

Action
To manually set the time zone on a Data Mover, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timezone [<timezonestr>]
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<timezonestr> = a POSIX-style time zone specification with the following formats:

◆ <std><offset> (no daylight savings time)

◆ <std><offset><dst>[offset],start[/time],end[/time] (adjusts for daylight savings time)

Note: See the Linux man page for tzset for information about the format.

Examples:
To set the time zone for server_2 when it is unnecessary to adjust for daylight savings time, type:
$ server_date server_2 timezone CST6
To set the time zone to Central Time and adjust for daylight savings time for server_2, type:
$ server_date server_2 timezone CST6CDT5,M4.1.0,M10.5.0

Output
server_2 : done

Verify the time zone

Action
To verify the time zone for server_2, use this command syntax:
$ server_date server_2 timezone

Output
server_2 : Local timezone: CST

28 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Managing

Note
When the time changes to daylight savings time, server_date server_2 timezone returns the daylight time abbreviation.
Instead of returning EST or CST, the command returns the time zone as EDT or CDT.

Set a time zone by using the Linux method

Time zones on page 16 provides information about setting a time zone using the Linux
method.

Action
To set the time zone on a Data Mover by using the Linux time zone method, use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timezone -name <timezonename>
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<timezonename> = a Linux style time zone specification

Note: A list of valid Linux time zones is located in the /usr/share/zoneinfo directory.

Example:
To set the time zone to Central Time and adjust the daylight savings time for a Data Mover by using the Linux method,
type:
$ server_date server_2 timezone -name America/Chicago

Output
server_2 : done

Set a time zone by using the Linux method 29

Managing

30 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 5

Troubleshooting

As part of an effort to continuously improve and enhance the performance

and capabilities of its product lines, EMC periodically releases new versions
of its hardware and software. Therefore, some functions described in this
document may not be supported by all versions of the software or
hardware currently in use. For the most up-to-date information on product
features, refer to your product release notes.
If a product does not function properly or does not function as described
in this document, contact your EMC Customer Support Representative.
Problem Resolution Roadmap for VNX contains additional information about
using the EMC Online Support website and resolving problems.
Topics included are:
◆ EMC E-Lab Interoperability Navigator on page 32
◆ Diagnose problems on page 32
◆ Error messages on page 33
◆ EMC Training and Professional Services on page 33

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 31

Troubleshooting

EMC E-Lab Interoperability Navigator

The EMC E-Lab™ Interoperability Navigator is a searchable, web-based application that
provides access to EMC interoperability support matrices. It is available on the EMC Online
Support website at http://Support.EMC.com. After logging in, locate the applicable Support
by Product page, find Tools, and click E-Lab Interoperability Navigator.

Diagnose problems
To diagnose problems with time services on VNX:
◆ Check that the Data Mover or Control Station has an external IP interface configured.
◆ Type ping <timeserver>, where <timeserver> is the IP address of the time server in
question, to determine if the Control Station can communicate with the time server.
◆ Use server_ping to determine if the Data Mover can communicate with the time server.
Type server_ping <movername> <timeserver_addr>, where <movername> is the Data
Mover name and <timeserver_addr> is the IP address of the NTP server.

Note: The term NTP server is used to refer to either NTP or SNTP servers.

◆ The statistics command server_date <movername> timesvc stats ntp provides output
that indicates whether the time services received any time updates through NTP. You
can compare the output of the statistics command before and after performing either the
set ntp or update ntp commands to determine if the Data Mover is receiving NTP
responses from any configured NTP server. This does not indicate which servers have
responded. View Data Mover time services statistics on page 25 provides more
information on timesvc stats, Set the Data Mover system time on page 24 provides more
information on set ntp, and Update the Data Mover system time on page 24 provides
more information on update ntp.
◆ For UNIX time servers, from Control Station, type rdate -p <timeserver>, where
<timeserver> is the name or IP address of the remote time server.
For a Windows time server, type the following command from a Windows client net
time \\<timeserver>, where <timeserver> is the hostname or IP address of the remote
time server.
The command output shows if the NTP or SNTP service is available by displaying the
current date and time.

As a last resort, deleting and then re-creating the time services configuration on the Data
Mover could resolve the problem.

32 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Troubleshooting

Error messages
All event, alert, and status messages provide detailed information and recommended actions
to help you troubleshoot the situation.
To view message details, use any of these methods:

◆ Unisphere software:

• Right-click an event, alert, or status message and select to view Event Details, Alert
Details, or Status Details.

◆ CLI:

• Type nas_message -info <MessageID>, where <MessageID> is the message

identification number.

◆ Celerra Error Messages Guide:

• Use this guide to locate information about messages that are in the earlier-release
message format.

◆ EMC Online Support website:

• Use the text from the error message's brief description or the message's ID to search
the Knowledgebase on the EMC Online Support website. After logging in to EMC
Online Support, locate the applicable Support by Product page, and search for the
error message.

EMC Training and Professional Services

EMC Customer Education courses help you learn how EMC storage products work together
within your environment to maximize your entire infrastructure investment. EMC Customer
Education features online and hands-on training in state-of-the-art labs conveniently located
throughout the world. EMC customer training courses are developed and delivered by EMC
experts. Go to the EMC Online Support website at http://Support.EMC.com for course and
registration information.
EMC Professional Services can help you implement your system efficiently. Consultants
evaluate your business, IT processes, and technology, and recommend ways that you can
leverage your information for the most benefit. From business plan to implementation, you
get the experience and expertise that you need without straining your IT staff or hiring and
training new personnel. Contact your EMC Customer Support Representative for more
information.

Error messages 33
Troubleshooting

34 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Appendix A

Windows Domain Controller

as a Time Server

If you do not have a dedicated NTP infrastructure for time control, use a
Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000 domain controller as a time server
for a Data Mover. By default, all Windows Server 2003 or Windows 2000
domain controllers can operate as time servers. Furthermore, within a
Windows Active Directory environment, all domain controllers operating
as time servers synchronize with the domain controller in the root domain
of the forest.

Note: Only experienced Windows administrators should attempt this procedure.

Modifying the Registry can cause serious problems requiring a reinstall of the
operating system. EMC cannot guarantee that problems resulting from
modifications to the Registry can be solved. Use the information provided at your
own risk. Windows online help provides specific information about the Windows
Registry and its functions.

To use a Windows domain controller as a time server:

◆ Configure a domain controller as a time server on page 36

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 35

Windows Domain Controller as a Time Server

Configure a domain controller as a time server

1. Log in to the domain controller as the Domain Administrator.

2. From the Start menu in Windows, select Run.

3. Type regedit and click OK.

The Registry Editor dialog box appears.

4. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters\LocalNTP

36 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Windows Domain Controller as a Time Server

5. Right-click Parameters and select Modify. The Edit DWORD Value dialog box appears.

In the Value data, change the value to 1 and click OK.

6. Select Registry ➤ Edit to close the Registry Editor and save the change.

Configure a domain controller as a time server 37

Windows Domain Controller as a Time Server

7. From the Start menu in Windows, select Programs ➤ Administrative Tools ➤ Services.
The Services dialog box appears.

8. In the Services dialog box, navigate to the W32Time service.

9. Right-click the W32Time service and select Stop.

10. After the service is stopped, right-click it again and click Start.

11. After the service is restarted, close the Services dialog box.

38 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Appendix B

Control Station as a Time

Server

You can use the Control Station as a time server for the Data Movers.

CAUTION Do not use the Control Station as a time server for the Data Movers
in the VNX system. Use standard time servers for all clients and services
whenever possible.

To use NTP as the time service on the Control Station, create an NTP
configuration file and start the NTP daemon.

Note: The term NTP server is used to refer to either NTP or SNTP servers.

After time services are configured and started, you can stop, disable, and
enable time services as well as verify the time services configuration.

Note: If you are using a standby Control Station, configure the time server settings
on the primary and standby Control Station so that they are the same.

Perform the following tasks to manage NTP on the Control Station:

◆ Create an NTP configuration file on page 40
◆ Start Control Station time services on page 40
◆ Stop Control Station time services on page 41
◆ Disable Control Station time services automatic restart on page 41
◆ Enable Control Station time services automatic restart on page 42
◆ Verify a Control Station time services configuration on page 43
◆ Synchronize the Data Mover time services on page 44

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 39

Control Station as a Time Server

Create an NTP configuration file

Use this procedure to create an NTP configuration file on the Control Station.
1. Log in to the Control Station as root by typing:
su -

2. At the prompt, type the root password.

3. Navigate to the following path using a text editor:

/etc/ntp.conf

4. Type the following line in the ntp.conf file:

server <IP_address> minpoll 8
where:
<IP_address> = the address of an NTP time server accessible to the Control Station
Example:
server 172.159.9.10 minpoll 8

5. Comment out the following line, if it exists, by inserting a # at the beginning of the line:
fudge 127.127.1.0 stratum 10

6. Save the file, and then exit.

Start Control Station time services

Use this procedure to start the NTP daemon on the Control Station. After the NTP server is
started using this procedure, the NTP daemon restarts automatically whenever the Control
Station is restarted.
1. Log in to the Control Station as root by typing:
su -

2. At the prompt, type the root password.

3. Start the NTP daemon by typing:

# /sbin/service ntpd start

Output:
Starting ntpd: OK
4. Verify that the daemon is running by typing:
# /sbin/service ntpd status

40 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Control Station as a Time Server

Output:
ntpd (pid 1234) is running...

Stop Control Station time services

Use this procedure to stop the NTP server on the Control Station.

CAUTION If you configured time services on the Data Movers to use the Control Station as the
only time server, you should either stop time services on the Data Movers or configure additional
time servers on the Data Movers before stopping the time service on the Control Station.

1. Log in to the Control Station as root by typing:

su -

2. At the prompt, type the root password.

3. Stop the NTP daemon by typing:

# /sbin/service ntpd stop

Output:
Shutting down ntpd: OK
4. Verify that the daemon is stopped by typing:
# /sbin/service ntpd status

Output:
ntpd is stopped

Disable Control Station time services automatic restart

After the NTP server is started, the NTP daemon restarts automatically whenever the Control
Station restarts. Use this procedure to disable the NTP server, so that it does not restart on
a Control Station restart.
1. Log in to the Control Station as root by typing:
su -

2. At the prompt, type the root password.

3. Disable the NTP daemon by typing:

# /sbin/chkconfig ntpd off

This prevents the daemon from restarting when the Control Station restarts.

4. Verify that the daemon is disabled by typing:

Stop Control Station time services 41

Control Station as a Time Server

# /sbin/chkconfig --list ntpd

Output:
ntpd 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:off 4:off 5:off 6:off
The status for each run level (0 through 6) should be off.
Continue with step 5 if you want to immediately stop time services.

5. If needed, immediately stop time services by typing:

# /sbin/service ntpd stop

Output:
Shutting down ntpd: OK
6. Verify that the daemon is stopped by typing:
# /sbin/service ntpd status

Output:
ntpd is stopped

Enable Control Station time services automatic restart

If you disable the NTP server on the Control Station, the NTP daemon does not restart when
the Control Station reboots. Use this procedure to enable the NTP server, so that it does
restart whenever the Control Station reboots.
1. Log in to the Control Station as root by typing:
su -

2. At the prompt, type the root password.

3. Enable the NTP daemon by typing:

# /sbin/chkconfig ntpd on

This restarts the NTP daemon whenever the Control Station is restarted.

4. Verify that the daemon is enabled by typing:

# /sbin/chkconfig --list ntpd

Output:
ntpd 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:on 4:off 5:on 6:off
The status for run level 3 should be on.
There might be other run levels also set to on.
If time services are not currently running and you want to immediately start them,
continue with step 5.

42 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Control Station as a Time Server

5. If needed, immediately start time services by typing:

# /sbin/service ntpd start

Output:
Starting ntpd: OK
6. Verify that the daemon is running by typing:
# /sbin/service ntpd status

Output:
ntpd (pid 1234) is running...

Verify a Control Station time services configuration

Use this procedure to verify a Control Station time services configuration.
1. Log in to the Control Station.

2. Navigate to the following path using a text editor:

/etc/ntp.conf

3. Look for lines in the ntp.conf file with the following format:
server <IP_address> minpoll 8
where:
<IP_address> = address of an NTP time server accessible to the Control Station
Example:
server 192.168.9.10 minpoll 8

Verify that the server addresses are ones you chose for the time servers.

4. Verify that the daemon is currently running by typing:

# /sbin/service ntpd status

Output:
ntpd (pid 1234) is running...
5. Verify that the daemon is enabled and configured to restart when the Control Station
restarts by typing:
# /sbin/chkconfig --list ntpd

Output:
ntpd 0:off 1:off 2:off 3:on 4:off 5:on 6:off
The status for run level 3 should be on, which means that the daemon restarts when the
Control Station restarts. There might be other run levels also set to on.

Verify a Control Station time services configuration 43

Control Station as a Time Server

Synchronize the Data Mover time services

Action
To synchronize the Data Mover time service using the Control Station’s IP address on the internal network as the NTP,
use this command syntax:
$ server_date <movername> timesvc start ntp [<host>[,<host>,...]]
where:
<movername> = name of the Data Mover

<host> = IP address of the Control Station

Example:
$ server_date server_2 timesvc start ntp 192.168.1.100 192.168.2.100

Output
server_2 : done

44 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Glossary

clock offset
Difference between the local system time and the time retrieved from the time server.

coordinated universal time (UTC)

Formerly Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC is the international time standard.

Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Protocol used to synchronize the realtime clock in a computer with a network time source.

Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP)

Adaptation of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) used to synchronize computer clocks in the
Internet.
See also NTP.

slewing
Process of gradually correcting the local system time.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Connection-oriented transport protocol that provides reliable data delivery.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

Connectionless transport protocol in the TCP/IP stack that allows datagrams to be exchanged
without acknowledgements or a delivery guarantee.

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 45

Glossary

46 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1

 Index

A error messages 33

automatic server detection on Data Mover 17

M
C messages, error 33

Control Station
NTP daemon N
disabling 41 NTP
enabling 42 accuracy of 14
starting 40 ntp.conf file 40, 43
stopping 41 ntpd
ntp.conf file on 40, 43 disable 41
verifying time-services configuration 43 enabling 42
starting 40
D stopping 41
overview of 14
Data Mover server limit on Data Mover 17
system time, setting from time server 24
time and date
setting 26 S
time server server_date
automatic detection 17 setting
domain controller as 35 system time 24
limit 17 time and date 26
order 17 time zone 28, 29
time service starting time services 20, 44
verifying configuration 21 using
time slewing on 16 set ntp 16
time zone update ntp 16
setting 28, 29 verifying 21
using 16 slewing
on Data Movers 16
E overriding on Data Movers 16
overview of 16
EMC E-Lab Navigator 32 SNTP
accuracy of 14

Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1 47

Index

SNTP (continued) time service (continued)

overview of 14 verifying configuration (continued)
on Control Station 43
on Data Mover 21
T time service protocol
time service data format 13
configuring on domain controller 35 public servers 15
disabling on Control Station 41 server hierarchy 15
enabling on Control Station 42 time distribution 15
ordering time servers on Data Mover 17 time services
server limit on Data Mover 17 starting 20, 44
setting time zone 16
system time on Data Mover 24 troubleshooting 31
time and date on Data Mover 26
time zone on Data Mover 28, 29 W
starting on Control Station 40
stopping on Control Station 41 Windows domain controller
verifying configuration as time server for Data Movers 35

48 Configuring Time Services on VNX 7.1