Chapter 15 - Managing and Setting Time
Ensuring a consistent date and time on the network is essential to proper network operations. In a network that includes more than one server, servers continuously share information to maintain a consistent network time. You can configure your network so that a few servers control the time settings on the entire network.
This chapter explains how:
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
Servers exchange information about their time settings to ensure that each server reports a consistent time. When a server initializes and joins the network, its clock is synchronized to the network time. Thereafter, the server continues to exchange time settings with other servers 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.
Servers receive regular time updates from other servers. Each time the server receives an update, it compares the received setting with its current setting. If the source of an expected time update fails to transmit its time after a 30 minute period, the receiving server queries the source for an update.
In most cases, a server reports the network time that is most recently set. Such a new time setting may result from an administrator manually adjusting the time on a native VINES server or an automatic dial-out to a time service bureau.
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.
In general, time settings are exchanged in two situations:
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Regular updates at 30 minute intervals - Periodic Synchronization Reports (PSRs) |
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Updates following the introduction of a new time setting from an external source |
Periodic Synchronization Reports
Servers report their time and date settings to the network at regular intervals of 30 minutes. These Periodic Synchronization Reports (PSRs) are generally broadcast to all servers within zero hops. PSRs do not travel across links (for example, X.25 networks by which native VINES servers are connected) that charge to transmit a packet. A server will send a PSR to a server further away than zero hops and across links that charge to transmit packets if you specify that server on a TimeOut list. Refer to "Managing Outgoing Time Broadcasts - TimeOut Lists" later in this chapter for information on creating a TimeOut list.
Whenever a time setting is introduced to the network from an external source, the server that receives the new time generates a New Time Report (NTR). A server sends out an NTR after the following events:
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You manually adjust the server's time setting from the server console. |
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The server obtains a new time setting after dialing out to a Time Service. |
NTRs are generally broadcast to all servers within two hops. NTRs do not travel across links that charge to transmit a packet (for example, X.25 networks by which native VINES servers are connected). A server will send a NTR to a server further away than two hops and across links that charge to transmit packets if you specify that server on a TimeOut list. Refer to "To Create a Trusted Time Source List or TimeOut List" later in this chapter for information on creating a TimeOut list.
Introducing New Time Settings to the Network
Whenever you introduce a new time setting to the network, that time setting receives a timestamp. Servers use this timestamp to determine when a time setting occurred. As servers receive a time update, they evaluate the timestamp on the received time to determine if the time specified represents an update to the current network time.
If you change the time on a server where services are not running, the server does not send the new time to the network. After you restart services and the server rejoins the network, the network time overwrites the date and time settings you modified off-line. The server queries servers on its Trusted Time Source list to obtain the network time. If the list contains no entries, the time you set off-line remains in effect. Refer to "Planning the Trusted Time Source List" later in this chapter for information on using a Trusted Time Source list.
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.
The Service Monitor screen displays the current date and time on the network when it is invoked or refreshed. When you change the time manually, from the server console, users who remain logged in while you make the change continue to see the old time at their workstations until the next time they log in. As a result, it is possible that the network may present users with two different times: the old time to users who logged in before the change and the new time to users who logged in after the time change.
When setting the time remotely on a server in another time zone, adjust for the difference between local time and the time in the other time zone.
Accepting Time Settings from Another Server
A server does not always accept a time update received from another server. An update is accepted only if it originates from a trusted time source (refer to "Using Lists to Manage Time Updates" below sfor information on trusted time sources). All other updates are ignored.
If a server accepts an update, it may adjust its current time settings. If the update reports a time that was set more recently than the current time on the server, the server overwrites its current time setting with the new one. On the other hand, if the time reported was not set more recently than the current time setting on the server, the server discards the update and does not adjust its current time.
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
Clock speed varies among servers. Any variation in the time on one server may affect the time of other servers on the network. To prevent variations in clock speed from disrupting the network time, you can manage how servers communicate time updates by creating the following lists:
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
You can maintain a stable and accurate network time by synchronizing the clocks of all the servers to the clock of a reliable server. This reliable server is considered a Trusted Time Source. Designating one or more servers as trusted time sources for the entire network ensures that you maintain a consistent network time.
You designate a Trusted Time Source by creating a Trusted Time Source list for each server. The Trusted Time Source list for each server contains the names of those Server Services that you want to consider trusted time servers (Table 15-1). The list determines the servers from which a server accepts time updates. After you create a Trusted Time Source list for a server, that server can accept time updates only from servers on that list. Updates from other servers are ignored. An empty list on a native VINES server means that time updates are accepted only by dialing out to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Automated Computer Time Service. An empty list on a StreetTalk for Windows NT server means that time updates are accepted from the Windows NT operating system. See "Scheduling Dial-Outs to the National Time Service" later in this chapter.
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
You can configure a server so that it ignores the time settings it receives from all but a few specified servers. Server Service uses the Trusted Time Source list to manage incoming time broadcasts from other Server Services. If a server has no Trusted Time Source list, it accepts time broadcasts from any server on the network.
After you create a Trusted Time Source list for a server, the server accepts time broadcasts only from the following sources:
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Services listed on its Trusted Time Source list |
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Services that receive their most recent time synchronization from a server on its Trusted Time Source list |
Example Accepting Time Updates from a Server that Accepted Its Most Recent Time Update from a Trusted Time Source
Three servers exist, A, B, and C. Server A has a Time list that contains one member, Server C. Server A therefore accepts time updates only from Server C or a server that received its most recent time update from Server C.
Server C sends a time update to Server B. Server B updates its time with the time from Server C and then sends a time update to Server A. Server A receives the time update from Server B, but Server B is not on Server A's Time list. However, Server A accepts the time from Server B, because the time on Server B was last updated by Server C.
The name of a Trusted Time Source list must be in StreetTalk name format:
Time@servername@Servers - where servername is the name of the server that maintains the list.
Each entry on a Trusted Time Source list must be the name of a server's Server Service, and have the following StreetTalk format:
SS@servername@Servers
For example, to add the Server Service of server Server1 to a list on another server, you enter this name on the list:
SS@Server1@Servers
Caution: Avoid placing a Server Service on its own Trusted Time Source list; network time may be adversely affected.
Refer to "To Create a Trusted Time Source List or TimeOut List" later in this chapter for instructions on adding a Trusted Time Source list to the server.
Managing Outgoing Time Broadcasts - TimeOut Lists
In the section "Managing Incoming Time Updates - Trusted Time Source Lists," you learned how you can stabilize network time by designating trusted time sources. Creating a list of these trusted time sources allows you to restrict the time updates that a server can accept. You can also create a list of destinations to which a server sends time updates (Table 15-2).
The list of destinations to which a server sends a time update is known as the TimeOut list. Defining the destinations to which a server is allowed to send a time update prevents the server from broadcasting time updates to all destinations within the default hop count. In addition, the TimeOut list allows a server to send time updates beyond the normal hop count distance and across links that charge to transmit packets.
A server uses the TimeOut list to manage outgoing time broadcasts to other servers. If a server has no TimeOut list, it broadcasts time updates to all servers within the hop count distance for the type of broadcast. Servers broadcast Periodic Synchronization Reports zero hops and New Time Reports two hops.
After you create a TimeOut list for a server, the server sends time updates only to destinations listed in the TimeOut list.
The name of a TimeOut list must be in StreetTalk name format
TimeOut@servername@Servers
where servername is the name of the server that maintains the list.
Each entry on a TimeOut list must be the name of a server's Server Service, and have the following StreetTalk format:
SS@servername@Servers
For example, to add the Server Service of server Server1 to a list on another server, you enter this name on the list:
SS@Server1@Servers
Placing a server on another server's TimeOut list does not automatically ensure that a time update will be accepted. The normal rules for accepting a time update still apply. That is, a server only accepts updates that originate from servers on its Trusted Time Source list (Time@servername@Servers) or servers that received their most recent time update from a server on its Trusted Time Source list.
Preventing Servers with Fast Clocks from Sending Time Updates
If your network has a server with a fast clock, you can prevent this server from corrupting the time on other servers by creating an empty TimeOut list on the fast server. When a TimeOut list exists, a server can send updates only to destinations on the list. Since the list contains no entries, the server is prohibited from sending time updates. As a result, the network is not aware of the fast clock.
To Create a Trusted Time Source List or TimeOut List
From StreetTalk Explorer:
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
From the System Prompt:
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
On a network with four servers named Server1, Server2, Server3, and Server4, you want to set up Trusted Time Source lists, such that Server2 and Server3 accept time only from Server1, while Server1 accepts time from no other server.
You would set up the trusted time source lists to achieve the results in Table 15-3.
No members are included on the Trusted Time Source list of Server1, so it does not accept time from any other server on the network. Instead, it is a source of time to other servers on the network, because its Server Service is entered by name on the Trusted Time Source lists of Server2 and Server3. (If Server1 is a StreetTalk for Windows NT server, time is set by the Windows NT operating system.) Server4 does not have a Trusted Time Source list. As a result, it considers all servers trusted time sources and accepts updates from all sources.
This section explains how to manually change the time and date that appear on a native VINES server.
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.
When you install a server, you set a standard time zone. In addition, a server can have an optional alternate time zone. For example, a server can have Eastern Standard Time (EST) as the standard time zone and Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) as the alternate time zone.
Configuring an alternate time zone requires you to provide information on when the alternate time zone goes into effect. The server operates under the standard time zone until the date and time when you schedule the alternate time zone to go into effect. For example, if the alternate time zone on a server is Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), the alternate time zone goes into effect when Daylight Saving Time begins. If a server has no alternate time zone, the standard time zone is in effect year-round.
Depending on your location, you set the time zone in one of the following ways:
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Choosing from a list of predefined North American time zones |
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Defining a custom time zone |
This section describes how to determine and change the current standard and alternate time zones on your server.
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:
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.
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.
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).
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) = -911. 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
This section explains how to schedule a native VINES server to dial out to the National Time Service to obtain the correct time.
Note: A StreetTalk for Windows NT server cannot dial out to a NIST service.
You can configure a server at the console to dial out to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS) in Boulder, Colorado, for accurate time. You need to install a 1200-baud modem and configure an ICA card for a 1200-baud asynchronous terminal line. Higher modem speeds are not supported.
Scheduling a dial-out requires the use of some specialized hardware and software. The following must be available on a server before initiating a dial-out:
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Banyan Asynchronous Terminal Emulation (ATE) option. Refer to the Asynchronous Terminal Emulation Guide for more information. |
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A modem that runs at 1200-baud. |
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An ICA, ICAplus, ICAmc, ICA/RM, or ICA/HS serial card with a 1200-baud asynchronous line configured. Refer to Managing Communications for more information. |
Verify that the option, the modem, and the asynchronous line are configured properly before you proceed.
When you schedule a dial-out, you need to supply the following information:
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Telephone number of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Automated Computer Time Service (ACTS) in Boulder, Colorado (USA).Default = 1-303-494-4774. |
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Retry limit during a dial-out session. Default = 5. |
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Time interval between dial-out sessions. No initial default value. |
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Time for each dial-out. No initial default value. |
The telephone number for the Time Service bureau exists in the Time Service database. However, you may need to alter the dialing sequence if your company's telephone system requires a customized dialing sequence to access an outside line or if you want to use special modem control characters when dialing. You can enter a maximum of 29 characters including spaces.
For example, a system administrator may have to enter:
T 9-1-303-494-4774
to get access the NIST time service. In this example, the T is a modem control character (TONE), 9 is required by the company's telephone system to get an outside line, and 1 accesses the telephone company's long distance lines. The remaining numbers are the area code and local exchange number of NIST ACTS in Colorado. Currently, NIST is the only institute providing this type of standardized service that is supported by Banyan.
The retry limit defines the number of dialing attempts made during each scheduled dial-out. If the modem cannot connect to the NIST Time Service because of a busy signal or interference on the line, further attempts continue up to the number defined by the retry limit. Raise or lower the retry value, depending on the day of the week and time of day that you chose for the dial-out session. The maximum retry value is 99.
A successful connection is considered one in which the time is returned or the connection has proceeded to the point where the phone is ringing. If the phone rings, but is not answered, the connection is still considered successful. Note that the retry limit is not the number of times that the phone rings on the receiving end. This value is set internally by the modem.
You need to schedule how often you want the server to dial out to the time service bureau. The time interval refers to the length of time between dial-out sessions. Choose between the following time intervals:
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D - Daily |
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W - Weekly |
If you schedule a weekly dial-out, the dial-out always occurs on the day you choose.
For information on how to change the settings, refer to "To Create a Dial-Out Schedule," which follows and "To Change an Existing Dial-Out Schedule" later in this chapter.
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.
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.
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.