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Chapter 15 - Managing and Setting Time

Overview

Note: The Time Service on a server is part of Server Service and is managed by Server Service. This chapter refers to the exchange of time information among Server Services as the exchange of information among the respective servers.

Maintaining Consistent Time on the Network

Note: In a standalone environment, time on a StreetTalk for Windows NT server is set by the Windows NT operating system. The Windows NT documentation describes how to set or change time and time zones on a Windows NT server.

Note: When a Windows NT administrator changes time on a Windows NT Server, the time is not automatically propagated to StreetTalk for Windows NT servers.

Periodic Synchronization Reports

New Time Reports

Introducing New Time Settings to the Network

Caution: Do not set the time on any server backwards to an earlier time from the current time. Services, such as the mail service, StreetTalk, and STDA, which rely on network time, may be adversely affected.

Accepting Time Settings from Another Server

Note: Time is synchronized for each server according to the time zone in which the server is located. For example, if at 10:15 a.m. a server in New York sends a time synchronization to a server in Los Angeles, the time on the Los Angeles server is set to 7:15 a.m. to reflect the three-hour time difference.

Using Lists to Manage Time Updates

Time@servername@servers - List of servers from which the server servername accepts time updates.

TimeOut@servername@servers - List of servers that receive time updates from the server servername.

Note: The item name (Time or TimeOut) of each list is case sensitive. Enter the item name exactly as shown. That is, you must enter the T in Time and TimeOut and O in TimeOut as upper case letters, and the other letters in lower case. For example, if you are creating a Time list on a server named Server1, enter Time@Server1@Servers.

Managing Incoming Time Updates - Trusted Time Source Lists

Table 15-1. Trusted Time Source Lists for Managing Incoming Time Synchronization Broadcasts

Note: A StreetTalk for Windows NT server cannot dial out directly to the NIST Automated Computer Time Service. However, you can configure your Windows NT Server to dial out to a NIST service. (See your Windows NT documentation for more information.) If your StreetTalk for Windows NT server is connected to a native VINES server that dials out to the NIST service, your server can be configured to accept a time setting from that server.

Planning the Trusted Time Source List

Example Accepting Time Updates from a Server that Accepted Its Most Recent Time Update from a Trusted Time Source

Time@servername@Servers - where servername is the name of the server that maintains the list.

SS@servername@Servers

SS@Server1@Servers

Caution: Avoid placing a Server Service on its own Trusted Time Source list; network time may be adversely affected.

Managing Outgoing Time Broadcasts - TimeOut Lists

Table 15-2. TimeOut Lists for Managing Outgoing Time Synchronization Broadcasts

Planning the TimeOut List

TimeOut@servername@Servers

SS@servername@Servers

SS@Server1@Servers

Preventing Servers with Fast Clocks from Sending Time Updates

To Create a Trusted Time Source List or TimeOut List

1. Click the New List icon.

2. Enter the StreetTalk name for the new list and a description on the New List property sheet. The description can have a maximum of 63 characters.

3. Enter the name of the list. Use the following format:

Time@servername@Servers

TimeOut@servername@Servers

The list name is case sensitive. Enter the "T" and "O" as upper-case letters, and the other letters in lower-case. For example, if you are creating a list on a server named Server1, enter Time@Server1@Servers.

4. Click OK.

5. Enter a one-line description of the service on the Summary property sheet. For example:

Trusted Time Source List for Server Server1

6. Enter the StreetTalk name of the Server Service you want to place on the Trusted Time Source list. For example, to add Server2's Server Service to Server1's Trusted Time Source list, enter SS@Server2@Servers. Names on the list are not case-sensitive. Click Add.

Note: If you want a native VINES server to accept time updates only from NIST, add no members to the list. The list should be empty. If a list is empty on a StreetTalk for Windows NT server, the server does not accept time updates from any server. Instead, the server accepts time updates from the Windows NT operating system.

7. Repeat step 6 for every Server Service that you want to add to the Trusted Time Source list.

8. Click OK when you have no more members to add. The appropriate members are added to the list.

StreetTalk Explorer verifies that you used valid StreetTalk syntax when entering the name of each list member; it does not verify that the names you enter are the names of valid Server Services. However, when Server Service sends a time broadcast, it sends time only to another valid Server Service. Invalid entries are ignored and the following error appears in the Server Service log:

Invalid entry ServiceName@Group@Organization found on the Time@Servername@Servers list

1. From a DOS workstation, enter:

MLIST

The Manage Lists menu appears.

2. Choose SEARCH for other lists. The Search for Lists screen appears.

3. Choose Lists in Another Group. You are prompted to enter the name of a group.

4. Enter:

servername@Servers

where servername is the name of the server where you plan to add the list. The Manage Lists menu appears.

5. Choose ADD a list. The Add A List screen appears. You are prompted to enter the StreetTalk name of the list and a description of the list.

6. Enter the name of the list. Use the following format:

Time@servername@Servers

TimeOut@servername@Servers

The list name is case sensitive. Enter the "T" and "O" as upper-case letters, and the other letters in lower-case. For example, if you are creating a list on a server named Server1, enter Time@Server1@Servers.

7. Press ENTER. The cursor moves to the next line.

8. Enter a one-line description of the service. For example:

Trusted Time Source List for Server Server1

The Manage A List menu appears and indicates that the list was created.

9. Choose ADD list member. The Add a Member To A List screen appears. You are prompted to enter the name of a new list member.

10. Enter the StreetTalk name of the Server Service you want to place on the Trusted Time Source list. For example, to add Server2's Server Service to Server1's Trusted Time Source list, enter SS@Server2@Servers. Names on the list are not case-sensitive.

Note: If you want a native VINES server to accept time updates from only NIST, add no members to the list. The list should be empty. If a list is empty on a StreetTalk for Windows NT server, the server does not accept time updates from any server. Instead, the server accepts time updates from the Windows NT operating system.

11. Repeat steps 9 and 10 for every Server Service that you want to add to the Trusted Time Source list.

12. Choose Exit this screen when you have no more members to add. The appropriate members are added to the list.

MLIST verifies that you used valid StreetTalk syntax when entering the name of each list member; it does not verify that the names you enter are the names of valid Server Services. However, when Server Service sends a time broadcast, it sends time only to another valid Server Service. Invalid entries are ignored and the following error appears in the Server Service log:

Invalid entry ServiceName@Group@Organization found on the Time@Servername@Servers list

Example Setting Up a Trusted Time Source List

Table 15-3. Example of Network Trusted Time Source Lists

Changing the Date and Time

Caution: If more than one server exists on the network, changing the local time on any server may also affect the time of other servers. Your change may affect operations on other servers that depend on specific times, such as scheduled backups. Always coordinate time changes with other system administrators.

To Change the Date and Time on a Native VINES Server

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear. You are prompted to change them.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

5. Enter N. The current date and time appear. You are prompted to confirm that they are correct.

6. Do one of the following:

- If the time and date are correct, enter Y. The date and time do not change. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

- If the time and date are not correct, enter N. You are prompted to confirm that you want to change the time.

7. One of the following occurs:

- If services are running, the system notifies you that changing the local time on the server also changes the network time.

- If services are not running, the system notifies you that you are changing only the server's local time.

8. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to change the time. You are prompted to enter the date.

- Enter N to retain the current time. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

9. Enter the new date in MM/DD/YY format (for example, enter 12/20/95 for December 20, 1995). Enter the slashes that exist between the numbers of the date. You are prompted to enter the new time.

10. Enter the new time. Enter the new time in the 24-hour time format (HH:MM). For example, use 18:30 for 6:30 p.m. Enter a colon (:) between the hours and minutes. You are prompted to confirm that you want to set the time.

11. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to accept the new settings and return to the System Maintenance menu.

- Enter N to cancel the settings and return to step 8.

Note: To change time on Windows NT, see your Microsoft documentation.

Setting the Time Zone

Note: To change the time zone on Windows NT, see your Microsoft documentation.

To Determine the Current Time Zone on a Native VINES Server

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear, including an alternate time zone, if one has been defined. You are prompted to change the time zone settings.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

5. Enter N. You are prompted to confirm the current time.

6. Enter Y. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

To Change the Time Zone to a Standard North American Time Zone

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear, including an alternate time zone, if one has been defined. You are prompted to change the time zone settings.

3. Enter Y. The Time Zone menu appears, listing five North American time zones:

Figure 15-1. Time Zone Menu Screen

4. Choose the number of the appropriate time zone. You are prompted to indicate whether your locale switches to an alternate time during the year.

5. Enter one of the following:

- Y if your area switches to Daylight Saving Time in the spring. The alternate time zone is predefined as Daylight Saving Time. You do not have the option of defining another alternate.

- N if your area does not switch to Daylight Saving Time in the spring.

The new time zone settings are displayed and you are prompted to confirm them.

6. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to confirm the settings.

- Enter N to cancel them and retain the previous settings.

You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule

7. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

8. Enter N. The current date and time appear. If you confirmed the use of a new time zone in step 6, the time is adjusted according to the new time zone. You are prompted to confirm the current time.

9. Enter Y. Do not change the time because you will affect the network time. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

10. Choose Return to Operator Menu. The Operator Menu appears.

11. Choose Shut Down Server Software. You are prompted to confirm the shutdown.

12. Enter Y. The Shut Down Menu appears.

13. Choose Shut down services and do AUTOMATIC REBOOT. You are prompted to notify network users.

14. Enter Y. The server shuts down services and reboots. All services on the server reset themselves to the new time zone.

To Define a Custom Time Zone

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear, including an alternate time zone, if one has been defined. You are prompted to change the time zone settings.

3. Enter Y. The Time Zone menu appears.

Figure 15-2. Time Zone Menu Screen

4. Choose Define other time zone. You are prompted to enter a three-letter abbreviation to represent the Standard Time Zone.

5. Enter a three-letter abbreviation that represents your standard time zone. You are prompted to calculate the offset of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) from your Standard Time Zone.

6. Enter the offset of GMT from your Standard Time Zone. Use the format + - HH:MM (for example, +08:00 or -11:00).

Enter a positive number (+HH:MM) if GMT is later than your local time.

Enter a negative number (-HH:MM) if GMT is earlier than your local time.

For example, if the GMT is 12:00 noon, then the local time in western Australia is 8 p.m. GMT is 8 hours earlier than the local time, so you would enter -08:00 (Figure 15-3).

Figure 15-3. Calculating the Amount of Time GMT Is Offset from Local Time

7. You are prompted to indicate whether your locale switches to an alternate time during the year.

8. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to define and use an Alternate Time Zone.

- Enter N for your server to use a new Standard Time Zone only. The new time zone settings are displayed and you are prompted to confirm them. Skip to step 15.

9. Enter a three-letter abbreviation that represents your Alternate Time Zone.

10. Enter the offset of GMT from your Alternate Time Zone. Use the format + - HH:MM (for example, +08:00 or -11:00).

To calculate the Alternate Time Zone Offset, (ATO) take the Standard Time Zone Offset (STO) that you entered in step 6 and subtract the number of hours and minutes that you move the clock (dT) at the start of the Alternate Time Zone period.

STO - dT = ATO

The following examples demonstrate how to calculate the Alternate Time Zone Offset if you move the clocks ahead 1 hour at the start of the Alternate Time Zone period:

STO -dT = ATO
New York (+5:00) -(+01:00) = +4
Western Australia (-08:00) -(+01:00) = -9

11. Enter the day of the year in MM/DD/YY format when the alternate time zone goes into effect. The default is the date when Daylight Saving Time begins in the USA.

12. Enter the time of day in HH:MM format when the alternate time zone goes into effect. The default is 24:00, that is, midnight.

13. Enter the day of the year in MM/DD/YY format when the alternate time zone stops being in effect and switches back to the standard time zone. The default is the date when Daylight Saving Time ends in the USA.

14. Enter the time of day in HH:MM format when the alternate time zone stops being in effect and switches back to the standard time zone. The default is 24:00, that is, midnight. The new time zone settings appear and you are prompted to confirm them.

15. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to confirm the new settings.

- Enter N to cancel the new settings and retain the previous settings.

You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

16. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

17. Enter N. The current date and time appear. If you confirmed the use of a new time zone in step 15, the time is adjusted according to the new time zone. You are prompted to confirm the current time.

18. Enter Y. Do not change the time because you will affect the network time. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

19. Reboot the server. Refer to "To Shut Down and Reboot a Server" in Chapter 1 for information on how to reboot the server. The server shuts down services and reboots. All services on the server reset themselves to the new time zone.

Scheduling Dial-Outs to the National Time Service

Note: A StreetTalk for Windows NT server cannot dial out to a NIST service.

Telephone Number

T 9-1-303-494-4774

Retry Limit

Time Interval

To View the Existing Dial-Out Schedule

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear. You are prompted to change them.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter Y. The current settings for dialing the time service bureau appear.

5. Press ENTER when you have finished examining the current schedule. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

To Create a Dial-Out Schedule

1. At the Operator Menu choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear. You are prompted to change them.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

5. Enter Y. The following message appears:

SS Time Service file does not exist
Continuing with default values.

The current telephone number of the time service bureau appears. You are prompted to change the phone number.

6. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y. You are prompted to enter a new telephone number.

- Enter N. The default phone number remains in effect. You are prompted to change the retry limit. Skip to step 8.

7. Enter a new phone number. Include any special numbers or characters that you need to prefix to the NIST time service number. You can enter a maximum of 29 characters including spaces.

When entering a phone number, you may need to insert a blank space or a hyphen between any modem control character and the numeric characters that follow it. Refer to the documentation for your modem for information on the proper syntax to use when entering modem control characters.

The new phone number appears. You are prompted to change the current retry limit.

Note: The server software does not verify the dial-out number.

8. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to change the retry limit. You are prompted to enter a new retry limit.

- Enter N to retain the default retry limit. You are asked how often you would like the system to dial out to the time service bureau. Skip to step 10.

9. Enter a new retry limit. Enter a number between 0 and 99. It is recommended that you use a retry limit of 10 or less. You are asked how often you would like the system to dial out to the time service bureau. You can choose to have the server dial out daily or weekly.

10. Do one of the following:

- Enter D for the server to dial daily. You are prompted to enter the time of day for the dial-out. Skip to step 12.

- Enter W for the server to dial out once a week. A menu appears, listing the days of the week.

11. Choose the day on which you want the server to dial out. You are prompted to enter the time of day for the dial-out.

12. Enter the local time when you want the server to dial out. Enter the time in 24-hour format. For example, enter 22:00 to dial out at 10 p.m. The time zone for the dial-out is the time zone of your network site. The NIST time service responds to queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The current settings for dialing out to the time service bureau appear. You are prompted to confirm the settings.

13. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to confirm the settings. The dial-out schedule is saved.

- Enter N to cancel the settings. The settings you entered are disregarded and no schedule is created.

The System Maintenance Menu appears.

To Change an Existing Dial-Out Schedule

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear. You are prompted to change them.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

5. Enter Y. You are prompted to cancel the current schedule.

6. Enter N. The current telephone number of the time service bureau appears. You are prompted to change the phone number.

7. Do one of the following, depending on whether you want to change the current phone number:

- Enter Y to change the phone number. You are prompted to enter a new telephone number.

- Enter N. The phone number does not change. You are prompted to change the retry limit. Skip to step 9.

8. Enter the new number. Include any special numbers or characters that you need to prefix to the NIST time service number.

The new phone number appears. You are prompted to change the current retry limit.

When entering a phone number, you may need to insert a blank space or a hyphen between any modem control character and the numeric characters that follow it. Refer to the documentation for your modem for information on the proper syntax to use when entering modem control characters.

Note: The server software does not verify the dial-out number.

9. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to change the retry limit. You are prompted to enter a new retry limit.

- Enter N to retain the current retry limit. You are asked how often you would like the system to dial out to the Time Service bureau. Skip to step 11.

10. Enter a new retry limit. Enter a number between 0 and 99. It is recommended that you use a retry limit of 10 or less. You are asked to choose how often you would like the system to dial out to the time service bureau. The server can dial out daily or weekly.

11. Do one of the following:

- Enter D for the server to dial out daily. You are prompted to enter the time of day for the dial-out. Skip to step 13.

- Enter W for the server to dial-out once a week. A menu appears, listing the days of the week.

12. Choose the day on which you want the server to dial out. You can only choose one day for the dial-out. You are prompted to enter the time of day for the dial-out.

13. Enter the local time at which you want the server to dial out. Enter the time in 24-hour format. For example, enter 22:00 to dial out at 10 p.m. The time zone for the dial-out is the time zone of your network site. The NIST time service responds to queries 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The current settings for dialing out to the time service bureau appear. You are prompted to confirm the settings.

14. Do one of the following:

- Enter Y to confirm the settings. The dial-out schedule is saved.

- Enter N to cancel the settings. The changes you entered are disregarded and the old schedule remains in effect.

The System Maintenance Menu appears.

To Cancel a Dial-Out Schedule

1. From the Operator Menu, choose System Maintenance. The System Maintenance Menu appears.

2. Choose Change Time. The current time zone settings appear. You are prompted to change them.

3. Enter N. You are prompted to view an existing dial-out schedule.

4. Enter N. You are prompted to cancel or dial out for a time service.

5. Enter Y. You are prompted to cancel the current schedule.

6. Enter Y. The current dial-out schedule is deleted from the server and the System Maintenance Menu appears.

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