Setting and Viewing Clock Time

You can set the following time-related parameters for the VNswitch module:   current time, time zone offset (from GMT), and the frequency with which the module synchronizes with the time host when using a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server.

You can set current time on the VNswitch module clock manually or using an NTP server. You can also view the current settings to verify that they are set as desired.

 

Setting the Time Manually

You can set the VNswitch module clock manually, based on the current wall clock time.

Procedure:

Step Action
1 Select Telnet to Module from the application tree and connect to the module.
2 At the Main prompt (Main>), enter Config.
3 Press Return. At the Config prompt (Config>), enter time set.
4 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

year [0]?

5 Enter the numeric representation for the current year using the full four digits.

Example: 1998

6 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

month [0]?

7 Enter the numeric representation for the current month. Do not use leading zeros.

Example: 5 (for May) or 11 (for November)

8 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

date [0]?

9 Enter the current day of the month.

Example: 22

10 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

hour [0]?

11 Enter the current hour of the day in military time.

Example:  5 (for 5 AM) or 17 (for 5 PM)

12 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

minute [0]?

13 Enter the current minute of the hour.

Example:   45

14 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

second [0]?

15 Enter the current second of the minute.

Example:   00

16 Press Return. The clock is set.
17 Log out of the Telnet session and terminate the connection.

Note: Alternatively, you can enter the above time using the following syntax:

time set 1998 11 22 17 45 00

Setting the Time Using an NTP Server

An NTP server provides a single-source location from which multiple devices can derive their clock settings. This helps ensure time synchronization among participating devices. The NTP server is based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Procedure:

Step Action
1 Select Telnet to Module from the application tree and connect to the module.
2 At the Main prompt (Main>), enter Config.
3 Press Return. At the Config prompt (Config>), enter time host.
4 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

IP address of time host [0.0.0.0]?

5 Enter the IP address of the NTP server from which you want to derive the current time.
6 Press Return. The clock is set and the Config prompt is displayed.
7 Restart the module if you want the new configuration settings to take effect.
8 Log out of the Telnet session and terminate the connection.

 

Setting the Time Zone Offset

You can specify the time zone by setting the number of minutes that the current time is offset from Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Values west of GMT are entered as negative values. For example, Eastern Standard Time (EST) in the United States is 5 hours earlier than GMT. Therefore, the offset for EST is -300 (5 hours x 60 minutes/hour). The default of 0 (zero) indicates no offset from GMT.

Procedure:

Step Action
1 Select Telnet to Module from the application tree and connect to the module.
2 At the Main prompt (Main>), enter Config.
3 Press return. At the Config prompt (Config>), enter time offset.
4 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

minutes from GMT (-720 to 720) [0]?

5 Enter the number of minutes the time zone is offset from GMT.
6 Press Return. The time zone offset is configured and the Config prompt is displayed.
7 Log out of the Telnet session and terminate the connection.

Note:  Alternatively, you can enter the time zone offset using the following syntax:

time offset -300

 

Setting Time Host Synchronization

You can set the frequency, in seconds, with which the VNswitch module polls the time host for the current time. This function is  applicable only if you are using an NTP server to synchronize the VNswitch module clock. The default of 0 (zero) indicates the switch is not to poll the time host.

You must configure TCP/IP Host Services for this functionality to be operational. See Configuring IP Host Services for information.

Procedure:

Step Action
1 Select Telnet to Module from the application tree and connect to the module.
2 At the Main prompt (Main>), enter Config.
3 Press Return. At the Config prompt (Config>), enter time sync.
4 Press Return. The following message is displayed:

seconds between time sync [0]?

5 Enter the number of seconds that is to pass between polling attempts.
6 Press Return. The frequency is set and the Config prompt is displayed.
7 Restart the module if you want the new configuration settings to take effect.
8 Log out of the Telnet session and terminate the connection.

 

Viewing Clock Time Parameters

You can view the current time settings to verify that they are set as desired. It includes information about who and what last set the time (either the operator, or the IP address of the host).

Procedure:

Step Action
1 Select Telnet to Module from the application tree and connect to the module.
2 At the Main prompt (Main>), enter Config.
3 Press Return. At the Config prompt (Config>), enter time list.
4 Press Return. A report of the current time settings is displayed, and the Config prompt is displayed.

Example:
Config> time list
11:21:21  Monday February 16, 1998
Set By: 110.110.110.157
Time Host: 110.110.110.157   
Sync Interval: 1200 seconds
GMT Offset:  -240 minutes

5 Log out of the Telnet session and terminate the connection.