Setting up an NTP server

Virtual Storage Platform One SDS Block Bare Metal Setup and Configuration
Version
1.19.x
Audience
anonymous
Part Number
MK-24VSP1SDS025-03
ft:lastEdition
2026-07-06

One or two NTP servers are required to configure a storage cluster. In the VSSB configuration file, specify the NTP server which the storage cluster is to use.

CAUTION:

Synchronize the time on any storage cluster components* by using NTP or other time-synchronization methods. When you use multiple NTP servers, also synchronize the time on NTP servers. By synchronizing the time, you can avoid the risk of problems due to the time gap, and identifying the cause of a problem (such as a failure) becomes easier.

* BMC (storage node, spare node), storage node, compute node, controller node, network appliances (including switches) or other components.

Using Windows Time Service as an NTP server:

To use Windows Time Service on Windows Server as an NTP server for a storage system, you must specify the settings so that time can be synchronized with other NTP servers in the network.

  1. In the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc), select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service. Specify the following settings, and then restart Windows Time Service:

    Time Providers:

    Configure Windows NTP Client: Enabled

    Enable Windows NTP Client: Enabled

    Enable Windows NTP Server: Enabled

    Configure Windows NTP Client:

    NtpServer: Specify the IP address of the NTP server with which time is to be synchronized.

    Type: Specify "NTP."

    SpecialPollInterval: Specify a value that is no more than 3,600.

    Note:

    If Windows Time Service must be used as an NTP server of a storage system in an environment in which time cannot be synchronized with any other NTP servers, specify the following settings:

    Time Providers:

    Configure Windows NTP Client: Enabled

    Enable Windows NTP Client: Disabled

    Enable Windows NTP Server: Enabled

    Global Configuration Settings:

    AnnounceFlags: Set "5."

    LocalClockDispersion: Set "0."

  2. If you want time information to be provided to the storage system even when connection to the specified NTP server is lost, in addition to the settings in step 1, specify the following settings: If the following settings are unnecessary, go to step 3.

    Global Configuration Settings:

    AnnounceFlags: Set "5."

    LocalClockDispersion: Set "0."

  3. Restart Windows Time Service.
    Using other than Windows Time Service as an NTP server:

    See the documentation of the hardware and OS you are using.