HP-UX UNIX Configure an NTP Server

Q. How do I configure an NTP (network time protocol) Server under HP-UX UNIX server as my applications rely on the system clock accuracy to get current time / run reports?

A. NTP is used for time synchronization. Many applications such as backup shell/perl scripts, make utility and others depends upon accurate system time.

HP-UX xntpd server configuration

xntpd server (daemon) is used by HP-UX. Open file /etc/rc.config.d/netdaemons:

# vi /etc/rc.config.d/netdaemons
Make sure following variables are defined and XNTPD is set to 1:

export NTPDATE_SERVER='ntp.mycorp.com pool.ntp.org in.pool.ntp.org'
export XNTPD=1
export XNTPD_ARGS=
Save and close the file. Where,

■NTPDATE_SERVER : space-separated list of timeserver / IPs - If server uses the radio clock / system time, leave the NTPDATE_SERVER blank.
■XNTPD : set it to 1 to enable NTP
■XNTPD_ARGS : set options, see man page
Make sure correct timezone is setup in /etc/TIMEZONE file (look for TZ variable):

# vi /etc/TIMEZONE
Save and close the file. Open /etc/ntp.conf file:

vi /etc/ntp.conf
Make sure server are defined:

server unix-box-ntp
server delhi-ntp
peer delhi-noc-ntp
driftfile /etc/ntp.drift
Close and save the file. Where,

■server : ntp server used (poll) to obtain time
■peer : a peer relationship with another ntp server
■driftfile : track local clock time (drift of the local clock)
Start HP-UX ntp service:

# /sbin/init.d/xntpd start
# /sbin/init.d/xntpd stop <-- stop ntp service
Verify that everything is working fine:

# ntpq -p
Watch out log file /var/adm/syslog/syslog.log for errors:

# tail -f /var/adm/syslog/syslog.log
Make sure xntpd is running:

# ps -ef | grep xntpd
SAM - GUI Admin Tool
=> SAM can also be used to configure NTP service under HP-UX, just start SAM and open time window.