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W32TM am I missing a trick? HOST-VM timing issues

Steve21

By Steve21
in Windows Server 2012

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Steve21

Steve21

Posted
Posted

Morning All,

 

Taken over a new place recently and looking at an issue with clocks/timing.

 

Currently unless I'm missing something obvious it seems to me the hosts and VMs are in a complete loop with updates and will never go externally for timings.

 

HOST1 -> DC3 -> VM IC TIME

HOST2 -> DC2 -> DC1 -> Free-Running System Clock

 

Both VM IC and Free-Running are the same aren't they? The timings generated via the host time integration. So the HOSTs are giving the VM time, but the host then syncs with the VM?

 

Surely either the host or DC should be syncing with NTP pools? Guessing it makes more sense to disable the integration on a DC and sync the DC with NTP? (Or is host better practice)

 

Thanks,

Steve

Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hmm just testing this on one host, peers are all set as expected but it's still pulling from CMOS rather than online :o Any ideas why that'd be? What account would it be using to get NTP from in terms of internet access etc would it need a proxy anywhere?

 

Value Name                 Value Type          Value Data
------------------------------------------------------------

ServiceDllUnloadOnStop     REG_DWORD           1
ServiceMain                REG_SZ              SvchostEntry_W32Time
NtpServer                  REG_SZ              pool.ntp.org,0x8
Type                       REG_SZ              NTP
ServiceDll                 REG_EXPAND_SZ       %systemroot%\system32\w32time.dll



C:\Windows\system32>w32tm /query /peers
#Peers: 4

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 722.8582432s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 722.9582485s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 723.0583235s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 723.1573322s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

C:\Windows\system32>w32tm /query /source
Local CMOS Clock

timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted
Have you done net stop w32time and net start w32time? Its strange how you have got 4 peers listed. I've just ran w32tm /query /peers and w32tm /query /source and it has only shown the one peer even though I have 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org as my peers.
Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Yep to both, tried the stop/restart, can ping it via my account, and added additional ISA rules just to ensure nothings being blocked firewall side.. strange lol

 

Just tried it again incase:

 

C:\Windows\system32>net stop w32time && net start w32time
The Windows Time service is stopping.
The Windows Time service was stopped successfully.

The Windows Time service is starting.
The Windows Time service was started successfully.


C:\Windows\system32>w32tm /query /source
Local CMOS Clock

C:\Windows\system32>w32tm /query /peers
#Peers: 4

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 987.3882908s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 987.4892955s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 987.5892984s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: pool.ntp.org,0x8
State: Active
Time Remaining: 987.6893045s
Mode: 3 (Client)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

C:\Windows\system32>ping ntp.pool.org

Pinging ntp.pool.org [64.99.80.30] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 64.99.80.30: bytes=32 time=89ms TTL=237
Reply from 64.99.80.30: bytes=32 time=88ms TTL=237
Reply from 64.99.80.30: bytes=32 time=89ms TTL=237
Reply from 64.99.80.30: bytes=32 time=88ms TTL=237

Ping statistics for 64.99.80.30:
   Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
   Minimum = 88ms, Maximum = 89ms, Average = 88ms

 

Thanks,

Steve

timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted

random! Just try running everything in a script, I had the problem where one of my DCs wouldn't play ball at all until it was run in this script (save the script as a bat file and run as administrator)

 

@echo off

net stop w32time

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org

w32tm /config /reliable:yes

net start w32time

w32tm /query /peers

PAUSE[/Code]
 

just change the /manualpeerlist: to what you want your timeserver to be.
Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Swear I have ninja's in my host :(

 

C:\>FixTimeSync.bat
The Windows Time service is stopping.
The Windows Time service was stopped successfully.

The command completed successfully.
The command completed successfully.
The Windows Time service is starting.
The Windows Time service was started successfully.

#Peers: 4

Peer: 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org
State: Active
Time Remaining: 899.5219731s
Mode: 1 (Symmetric Active)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org
State: Active
Time Remaining: 899.6219747s
Mode: 1 (Symmetric Active)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org
State: Active
Time Remaining: 899.7219825s
Mode: 1 (Symmetric Active)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)

Peer: 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org
State: Active
Time Remaining: 899.8219903s
Mode: 1 (Symmetric Active)
Stratum: 0 (unspecified)
PeerPoll Interval: 0 (unspecified)
HostPoll Interval: 10 (1024s)
Press any key to continue . . .

C:\>w32tm /query /source
Local CMOS Clock

timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted

LOL, try unregistering the service.. w32tm /unregister then w32tm /register

 

W32tm

 

what does w32tm /query /configuration show? This will show all the configuration for the time service.

Arthur

Arthur

Posted
Posted

The following two batch files might be worth a try if you still aren't having any luck.

 

PDC emulator Server

@echo off
w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"uk.pool.ntp.org" /syncfromflags:manual /reliable:yes /update

 

Other Servers

@echo off
reg add HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\VMICTimeProvider /v Enabled /t reg_dword /d 0 /f
net stop w32time
w32tm /unregister
w32tm /register
net start w32time
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:DOMHIER /update
w32tm /resync /force
w32tm /query /source
pause

  • Thanks 1
Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted
LOL, try unregistering the service.. w32tm /unregister then w32tm /register

 

W32tm

 

what does w32tm /query /configuration show? This will show all the configuration for the time service.

 

Was trying to do it without abusing services too much, just as it's one of the hosts not a VM :( But feel it may need it lol

 

C:\>w32tm /query /configuration
[Configuration]

EventLogFlags: 2 (Local)
AnnounceFlags: 5 (Local)
TimeJumpAuditOffset: 28800 (Local)
MinPollInterval: 10 (Local)
MaxPollInterval: 15 (Local)
MaxNegPhaseCorrection: 3600 (Local)
MaxPosPhaseCorrection: 3600 (Local)
MaxAllowedPhaseOffset: 300 (Local)

FrequencyCorrectRate: 4 (Local)
PollAdjustFactor: 5 (Local)
LargePhaseOffset: 50000000 (Local)
SpikeWatchPeriod: 900 (Local)
LocalClockDispersion: 10 (Local)
HoldPeriod: 5 (Local)
PhaseCorrectRate: 1 (Local)
UpdateInterval: 30000 (Local)


[TimeProviders]

NtpClient (Local)
DllName: C:\Windows\system32\w32time.dll (Local)
Enabled: 1 (Local)
InputProvider: 1 (Local)
AllowNonstandardModeCombinations: 1 (Local)
ResolvePeerBackoffMinutes: 15 (Local)
ResolvePeerBackoffMaxTimes: 7 (Local)
CompatibilityFlags: 2147483648 (Local)
EventLogFlags: 1 (Local)
LargeSampleSkew: 3 (Local)
SpecialPollInterval: 900 (Local)
Type: NTP (Local)
NtpServer: 0.uk.pool.ntp.org,1.uk.pool.ntp.org,2.uk.pool.ntp.org (Local)

NtpServer (Local)
DllName: C:\Windows\system32\w32time.dll (Local)
Enabled: 1 (Local)
InputProvider: 0 (Local)
AllowNonstandardModeCombinations: 1 (Local)

VMICTimeProvider (Local)
DllName: C:\Windows\System32\vmictimeprovider.dll (Local)
Enabled: 1 (Local)
InputProvider: 1 (Local)

Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Hmm looks like I sorted it, after spending stupid time trying to trace what's broke I found another thread about SWGFL being rubbish and blocking NTP replies, and to try tests against SWGFL NTP server and boom it works :( So set it all against SWGFL server for now, and worked first time. DC sync'ing with SWGFL, HOSTs syncing with DC, VMs with HOST etc.

 

Thanks guys for help, at least we aren't going mad lol :D

 

Steve

  • 1 month later...
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

@Steve21 im having the same problems as you. i can ping the pool.ntp.org fine but running the "w32tm /query /source" still brings up "local CMOS Clock"

i work in a school around the doncaster area, can you give me the ntp address for SWGFL to see if i can get it working from here?

 

 

 

p.s. ive tried all the above, i just cant seem to get any ntp address to work,

Steve21

Steve21

Posted
  • Author
Posted
@Steve21 im having the same problems as you. i can ping the pool.ntp.org fine but running the "w32tm /query /source" still brings up "local CMOS Clock"

i work in a school around the doncaster area, can you give me the ntp address for SWGFL to see if i can get it working from here?

 

 

 

p.s. ive tried all the above, i just cant seem to get any ntp address to work,

 

 @echo off
net stop w32time
w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:ntp.swgfl.org.uk
w32tm /config /reliable:yes
net start w32time
w32tm /query /peers
PAUSE

 

Is what I used in the end on my primary DC, then sync'd rest from that :)

 

Steve

Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

@Steve21 yes you are right I'm in the wrong area for using the South-West grid NTP address

 

but luckily I found out my problem and it is now solved, i will tell you all how i got round it in case anyone else has the same problem

i was using the registry to add the NTP server and wasn't getting any where

so was stumped,

i didn't think to check the servers local group policy

 

and hay presto the settings where there for something else, seems that having set registry didn't over ride the local group policy!

 

Computer Configuration - Administrative Templates - System - Windows Time Service - Time Providers

the "Configure Windows NTP Client" and "Enable Windows NTP Client" was set to something else other than the registry settings i specified!

 

so check your local group policy in case that is conflicting

 

i am now using 2.uk.pool.ntp.org,0x1 and is working fine

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