xntp Release Notes

Table of Contents

What is fw_UDELxntp

fw_UDELxntp is the freeware version of xntpd, the University of Deleware's reference implimentation of a NTP (Network Time Protocol) daemon.

NTP is the standard mechanism for synchonizing the time on computers across the Internet. It is designed to keep the clock on a computer system closely synchronized to some time reference source. As a side-effect, it keeps the clocks on computers closely synchronized. A common configuration is to bring time into a network using xntpd, and distribute the time using timed. While Xntpd can be configured to listen to a radio clock (and be an absolute time reference source), the precompiled version does not have the radio clock support compiled in. All of the standard radio clock drivers are included in the source distribution.

Installation Information

fw_UDELxntp Subsystems

fw_UDELxntp.sw.eoe

The runtime system: binaries, init scripts, and default configuration file

fw_UDELxntp.man.pages

The preformatted man pages. Can be read in the base IRIX system.

fw_UDELxntp.man.relnotes

This page. Information specific to this version.

fw_UDELxntp.man.docs

Additional documentation useful in setting up a working system. Installed into /usr/freeware/docs/xntp. clock.txt contains a list of ntp reference clocks on the Internet. time.ps describes the theory of time synchronization. ntp.ps describes NTP in detail.

fw_UDELxntp.man.mansrc

The unformatted man pages. They require DWB or the equivalent (GROFF, etc) to view.

fw_UDELxntp.src.xntp

Full source code for this version of xntp, including all radio clock drivers and any IRIX-specific modifications.

Running xntpd and timed or timeslave at the same time with the default configuration is not recommended, as they will fight over controlling the workstation's clock. The results will not be pretty. To minimize this kind of problem, installing fw_UDELxntp will chkconfig off both timed and timeslave. You should only re-enable them if you know what you are doing.

The installed initialization will start xntpd on system boot. The default configuration file listens for broadcast or multicast NTP packets only. Refer to the documentation and the man pages to configure reference clocks to listen to for better timekeeping.

Installation Method

All of the subsystems for this product can be installed using IRIX. You do not need to use the miniroot. Refer to the Software Installation Administrator's Guide for complete installation instructions.

Prerequisites

Compatibility

This software is compatible with IRIX 6.2.