Error applying configuration

[lligetfa]

I seem to be struggling with NTP settings. When I make changes to NTP and then save and apply, sometimes I get "error applying configuration".

I did eventually get the switch to sync time but then today I had a scheduled power outage and when the power came back the switch was in 1969. I tried disabling NTP and saving and then enabling NTP and saving but the time would not sync. I edited the host from 0.ca.pool.ntp.org to 1.ca.pool.ntp.org and it threw an error but now the time is in sync.

[sirhc]

I seem to be struggling with NTP settings. When I make changes to NTP and then save and apply, sometimes I get "error applying configuration".

I did eventually get the switch to sync time but then today I had a scheduled power outage and when the power came back the switch was in 1969. I tried disabling NTP and saving and then enabling NTP and saving but the time would not sync. I edited the host from 0.ca.pool.ntp.org to 1.ca.pool.ntp.org and it threw an error but now the time is in sync.

I have it on my list to investigate tomorrow but I have not had any issues with NTP but then again I am running my switch in a more traditional WISP configuration where my switch has an invalid non rout-able IP outside my network so it looks at our local NTP server in our NOC.

So Less, so far you have reported all the things you do NOT like about the switch but I have not yet heard a single thing you like about it? Is there anything positive you have to say about it? Do not get me wrong I want you to point out things that need fixed but would also like to know the things we got right, both negative and positive comments are needed.

[Rory]

Have you verified that those server pools are functional? I'm not trying to be dismissive, but if you could verify that you can say set the time from a workstation to that server we can eliminate a bunch of potential causes for the issue.

If this problem is persistent, can we arrange access to the switch for me remotely? I'm flexible as to how, but I may be able to check a few things from a SSH / Serial session and inform Eric of exactly how things are broken to facilitate a fix that much sooner.

Thanks, and have a great weekend!

[lligetfa]

The switch is holding its time between reboots now so I would not worry about it too much. Not sure why I got the error in the first place and why it did not hold the time on reboot. I don't recall now whether I typed or copy/pasted the entry. It should be a simple text field and not bring in formatting but then maybe I forgot to "Paste as plain text".

Is there any sort of validation of the time server when it tries to apply the config? Is it possible to have more than one time server entered?

On DDWRT, I used just ca.pool.ntp.org but on the Netonix switch that did not seem to work so I then used 0.ca.pool.ntp.org and then later 1.ca.pool.ntp.org. On my NAS, I use a comma separated list 0.ca.pool.ntp.org,1.ca.pool.ntp.org,2.ca.pool.ntp.org. Would it be possible to use a comma separated list on the switch?

[lligetfa]

The switch is holding its time between reboots now...

We've had a few power outs recently and the switch comes up faster than the internet, the result being the NTP time reference is not there. To work around it, I change the config to point to another NTP server in the pool and then it gets the proper time.

I see in 1.0.9 there is mention of an NTP client fix and I am applying it now. Could it be related to my issue? I'd rather not flip breakers to test it.

Is it possible to enter more than one NTP server and have the switch try another one round-robin?

[mhoppes]

Shouldn't the switch be periodically polling the NTP servers to stay up to date?

[lligetfa]

One would think, but if there was a bug prior to 1.0.9, then all bets are off. All I know is that I have had to change the setting several times now. I alternate between 0.ca.pool.ntp.org and 1.ca.pool.ntp.org and then I get the proper time.

So, I'm not sure if the particular NTP server I am referencing is going down, or if it is something local to my network or the Netonix. So, if I could add more than one NTP server as I can on my NAS, then if one goes down, it should fail over to the next one.

Then again, on ddwrt I just use ca.pool.ntp.org and it gets the proper time. BTW, ddwrt is just running as a WAP, not as the router.

[sirhc]

Yes in the latest version the NTP service runs all the time.

Once you get v1.0.10 that is a non issue