Question

How to setup a time server so all time is standard across the enterprise

Asked by: eServ

I need a little help setup a time server or something to keep the time the same across the enterprise.  Also our storage has a place to use a NTP server to help keep the time right.

What I would like to see not sure if it can be done is have one server be the master time server.  Then it would push down to each site location time server.  Then the clients would sync there time off the local time server.

I am new at this so if someone has any step by step directions or would be willing to help that would be great.


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Asked On
2008-12-16 at 11:08:41ID23989492
Tags

Microsoft

,

Server

,

2003 SP2

Topics

Windows 2003 Server

,

Microsoft Server

Participating Experts
3
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500
Comments
15

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Answers

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-16 at 11:17:19ID: 23186810

If you are running Active Directory then you should configure the PDC Emulator FSMO role holder to get its time from an authoratative Internet time source.

All of the other domain controllers will take their time from the PDC Emulator DC and all clients in the domain will take their time from any DC.

You can configure any non-domain members e.g. your NAS/SAN to point to the PDC Emulator.

This article should get you started:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc784929.aspx

Plod

 

by: BrughPosted on 2008-12-16 at 11:20:52ID: 23186850

Your Domain Controller will normally do this by default.  Just make sure everyone is configured to point to your DC for Time resolution.

More information
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816042
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314054

Basically, From each machine:
Start->run
Type CMD
Click OK
Type NET TIME
It should tell you which time server it is syncing with, if it's not your DC
type net time /setsntp:<domaincontrollername>
type net stop w32tm
type net start w32tm
type w32tm /resync

hth
 - Brugh


 

by: ryansotoPosted on 2008-12-16 at 11:21:57ID: 23186862

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-16 at 12:34:41ID: 23187820

Plod, I am following the directions that are in the link.  On Step 4 on external time source I need to add a NTP server correct?  If so what value should I use?

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-16 at 22:20:53ID: 23191066

What time server do you want to use?

If you don't have a preference then time.microsoft.com is perfectly usable.

Plod

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-17 at 09:49:38ID: 23195923

Plod  Sorry for not getting back with you sooner.  I followed all the steps in the document - now that this is complete how do I get the clients to sync with that server?  Should that be done in a GP?

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-17 at 10:34:47ID: 23196464

Hi,

AD clients will automatically sync their time with a domain controller, you don't need to do anything explicitly.

Cheers,

Plod

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-17 at 10:49:30ID: 23196631

ok - So I would need to follow these directions on each DC that we have correct?  So to test this or check if it is working all I shoud have to do is change the time by a few min?

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-17 at 10:54:45ID: 23196690

Nope.

You only need to configure an external time source on the first DC in the domain (the one that holds the PDC Emulator FSMO role).  All other DC's will take their time from this.

By all means change the time on a client PC by two minutes and then reboot it.  It should re-sync with a DC.

Cheers,

Plod

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-17 at 10:57:13ID: 23196712

Ok - Thanks again I will try this - and let you know how it turns out - Thanks again for your help

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-17 at 11:00:01ID: 23196733

Ok - stupid question but I am new so I am going to ask.  The person that setup the domain up is not sure which one is the PDC EMulater FSMO role.  Anyway I can tell?

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-17 at 11:05:27ID: 23196784

Easy!  (No such as a stupid question)

Check this article:

http://www.petri.co.il/determining_fsmo_role_holders.htm

Plod

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-17 at 12:12:52ID: 23197470

OK - thanks I figured this out and I am configuring the correct server.  I will let you know how it turnes out.  I was wondeirng how I could configure out SAN to work with this time service?  Do I just put the ip or host name in the box that they provide?

 

by: TheCapedPlodderPosted on 2008-12-17 at 12:18:25ID: 23197541

That should work.  Put the host name of the PDC Emulator (or any DC as they will be in sync.) or IP address in and it will probably work.

 

by: eServPosted on 2008-12-19 at 11:43:18ID: 31526547

Plod - thanks so much for your help I have tested on a few machines and after log in the time will change.  Thanks again for your help.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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