Best practise for time source when running inside of VMware
Hi all.
I have worked on environments where virtual servers use the VMware host for time source and when they do not. Can anyone point me in the direction of Microsoft best practise when running VMs inside of VMware and where they should be getting there time synch information from, the vm host, or PDCe, or authenticating server etc?
I have worked on environments where virtual servers use the VMware host for time source and when they do not. Can anyone point me in the direction of Microsoft best practise when running VMs inside of VMware and where they should be getting there time synch information from, the vm host, or PDCe, or authenticating server etc?
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ASKER
Thanks both. If I may reproach
Our PDCe has a Ntpserver reg setting of 'time.windows.com,0x9' and a type set to NT5D5
Now if this were on any machine other than the PDCe I could assume the machine is using windows domain hierarchy for time source. But if this is the forest root domain PDCe, wouldn't this setting tell us that the PDCe is using local CMOS if the machine were physical or VMware tools if virtual, but In this case we have deselected the VM tools option, so where is the PDCe getting it's time from ?
Our PDCe has a Ntpserver reg setting of 'time.windows.com,0x9' and a type set to NT5D5
Now if this were on any machine other than the PDCe I could assume the machine is using windows domain hierarchy for time source. But if this is the forest root domain PDCe, wouldn't this setting tell us that the PDCe is using local CMOS if the machine were physical or VMware tools if virtual, but In this case we have deselected the VM tools option, so where is the PDCe getting it's time from ?
PDCe should obtain its timesource from external time server.
http://jackstromberg.com/2013/10/configuring-external-time-source-on-your-primary-domain-controller/
http://jackstromberg.com/2013/10/configuring-external-time-source-on-your-primary-domain-controller/
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ASKER
Just having a read now, thank you both.
ASKER
One last Q, what is the 0x9 flag? I can't find any reference to it although I see it is on a new build by default.
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askds/2007/11/01/configuring-your-pdce-with-alternate-time-sources/
•0x01 SpecialInterval
•0x02 UseAsFallbackOnly
•0x04 SymmatricActive
•0x08 Client
0x01 + 0x08 = 0x09
•0x01 SpecialInterval
•0x02 UseAsFallbackOnly
•0x04 SymmatricActive
•0x08 Client
0x01 + 0x08 = 0x09
ASKER
Sorry for the delay in getting back. So if 0x09 is as above what does this tell us? That the client is using what, anyone know?
ASKER
Thanks all.
https://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1318