Need to make a time server that isn't a Domain member.

I know this is a server forum but there isnt' a workgroup forum that I can
ask.

I have a workgroup in the plant that I need to have time synced. I thought I
could do this since I have many times in a domain environment. These machine
are isolated from the domain on a different subnet.
What I can't glean from the w32tm docs is how to make a single workstation
the master clock (Authoritative) and also have that master clock get it's
time info from a real master clock.
I can point the clients at that machine using net time /setsntp but it
doesnt' answer because it isn't authoritative.
Help?

 

Hey,

Check out this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q314054

Hope this helps.

 

I have that article in front of me and I couldn't find enough info on
"AnnounceFlag".
The directions say to:

Set AnnounceFlags to 5. To do this, follow these steps: a. Locate and then
click the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config\
b. In the right pane, right-click AnnounceFlags, and then click
Modify.
c. In the Edit DWORD Value dialog box, under Value data, type 5, and
then click OK.


But if you look at the possible registry entries there is no 5. there are
0,1,2,4,8 possible and each has a different meaning increasing in
authority.(I suppose that 5 is a combination of 4 and 1 which would mean
"always reliable time server" and "Always time server" but that seems like
it is redundant. Since this is a live network I hesitated till I got some
confirmation on this.

 

Hey,

I never did it personally so I can not verify if it works. You have a test
machine/enviroment you can try it one?

Good luck,

 

yes the test machines are on a domain but I'll remove them and try it..
I'm surprised that the answer to this isn't easier to find.
Thanks for the help though, at least I'm heading the right way!

 

In

Mike,

You can try a 3rd party solution for XP, such as Tardis time. It installs
and runs as an SNTP service that you can point your domain's PDC emulator
to.

Tardis NTP time server Tardis NTP time server An Atomic Clock designed to
work with the Tardis time synchronization software. Using time from the
atomic clock in Colorado accurate ...
www.ntp-time-server.com/
tardis-ntp-time-server/tardis-ntp-time-server.htm


--
Ace

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Ace Fekay, MCSE 2003 & 2000, MCSA 2003 & 2000, MCSE+I, MCT, MVP
Microsoft MVP - Directory Services
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I had Tardis at one time. No problems with it but I figured with the builtin
stuff would be better.
I think I got it.
I configured w32tm with a host on the machine that will act at as "server"
and used net time /setsntp: to set all the clients to sync that machine. I
know the syncing is going on but not sure if the host is updating yet. But
having them all at the same time was the primary target, accuracy was
secondary ;-)

 

In

Didn't we discuss this over a year ago about how to do it on a 2000 DC (the
PDC Emulator) using the sntp and net time command?

 

I don't think that was me but it could have been, I have a different job now
so I purged all that from my memory ;-)

Seriously though, I was (and still am) under the impression that "Net Time"
is a command on it's way out to be replaced completely by "w32tm" but I
couldn't make w32tm look at that single server. Even after following some
very long sequences laid out by others.
Net time /setsntp did it immediately so I cut and ran.
w32tm works on the one acting as the server so go figure.

The last time I fought something like that was when MS crippled PPTP and I
was trying to make a VPN work using it. I learned to give up sometimes when
I can work around it

 

In

Ahh, don't give up!

(Both performed on the PDC Emulator):

For Win2000:
net stop w32time
net time /setsntp:192.5.41.209
w32tm -once
net start w32time

For Win2003:
net stop w32time
net time /setsntp:192.5.41.209
net start w32time

Ace

 

Did I mention that this particular problem was in a workgroup environment?
I might have neglected to mention that. No DC's .
But that does look easier than the hoops I tried.

 

In

If in a workgroup, choose a server to do this on. Then in the other
machines:

net stop time
net time /setsntp:IpOfTheWorkgroupServerYouChose
net start time



Ace