VM time sync, should I sync with ESX server or NTP ?

[skanan]

Hi,

I'm trying to find out about best practice on time synchronization of my Linux VM. I have couple scenarios:

1. Use vmware tools to provide time sync with ESX server and not using NTP daemon on the Linux VM. This does not correct errors where the guest clock is ahead of real time.

2. Each Linux VM runs NTP daemon and sync with external NTP server.

3. Use both NTP and vmware tools on Linux guest.

My ESX server will sync time with external NTP server.

I read the white paper http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vmware_timekeeping.pdf already but still would like to know what's the best practice is.

Thanks,

-Nick

[Troy_Clavell]

we have our VM's sync with their hosts and our hosts sync with an NTP source (our Domain controllers)

here's a good discussion on time sync as well.

http://communities.vmware.com/message/941659#941659

[weinstein5]

I second Troy - that is how our environment is set -

[malaysiavm · Accepted solution]

http://malaysiavm.com/blog/time-synchronize-on-vm-and-esx/

here is what we did and share out to public. Personal experience, I am not using ESX host for time synchronization. Simplify and standardize IT is more eaiser to manage always.

Malaysia VMware Communities -

[skanan]

Thanks everyone! I read through all the links you recommended and still do not feel strongly one way or another. I'll try the NTP approach first. At least I don't have to worry about clock too slow or too fast and have to past parameter to Linux kernel. I'll post the follow up here later.