Correct way to use ntp client?

[Davek0974]

Hi all, still finding my way here, I am using esxi5 free version, and am trying to figure out the correct way to use the ntp server.

I have the host set to use an ntp server and it reports as running in the client time setup screen, however if I point a vm at it using net time, it returns no server found?

I would really like to find the best way to setup my network for accurate timekeeping, hopefully, all servers will be vm's and there will be a few desktop boxes as well.

Any help appreciated

Dave

[vLarus]

This document goes into best practices regarding timekeeping in a vSphere environment.

http://www.google.is/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CHwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vmw...

ps. don't read late at night or you might fall asleep...

[peetz]

Dave,

ESXi will act as an NTP client (after having been configured) and sync's its own time. However, it is by default not able to act as an NTP server, because the ESXi firewall blocks incoming NTP client requests.

For you the easiest way to achieve correct timekeeping in the VM guests will be sync'ing the time through VMware Tools.

If you really want to use the ESXi host as an NTP server for your VMs then you need to permanently open the required network port on the firewall. Here is how (and why you may want) to do this: http://v-front.blogspot.de/2012/01/howto-use-esxi-5-as-ntp-server-or-howto.html

- Andreas

[Davek0974]

Thanks for that, most the servers I have vm's have had their source set to an Internet ntp pool, if I am using the vmtools option to sync time with host, should I disable the ntp source? If so any idea how?

I think they were set using "net time /setsntp:xxxxxxxxxxx /set" or something like that.

Dave

[Cyberfed27]

Do you not have a domain controller for your machines to sync time from?

I use that and my hosts and VM's never suffer from drift.

[Davek0974]

Yes we have a domain controller but that is itself a VM on the same host.

I have VMware tools set to manage time control, but I think rather than let domain clients sync over the net, I would like to have the vm host as master time source and all domain clients and vm's to sync from the host.

How do you open the required port on the host?

Dave

[eeg3]

VMware's best practices still do not recommend having VMware Tools perform time keeping for guests: KB 1318.

It's is probably not the best implementation to turn your host into an NTP server.

[admin]

Hi Dave

you need to add a Custom DNS Suffixes to assign the DNS Suffix for this ESXi server.

Please make sure both dns and gateway IP are correct.

"Before you judge a man, walk a mile in his shoe."