[ntp:questions] Multiple ntp processes?

Scot P. Floess floess at mindspring.com
Mon Oct 16 12:13:59 UTC 2006


Danny:

Thank you for the prompt reply.  I just compiled the latest version of  
NTP and am not seeing double processes...but it could be I time it to 
when a second process isn't running.

Regardless, thank you again as this is very useful information :)

Scot

Danny Mayer wrote:
> Scot P. Floess wrote:
>   
>> I didn't readily find an answer to this problem...
>>
>> I note when I start ntp as an init script running Fedora Core 5 on a
>> dual PIII 450 Mhz box, I see two ntpd processes running.  By looking at
>> the PID and PPID it appears one ntpd is starting the other.  I note in
>> /var/log/messages I will see logs with intermixed times.  For instance,
>> a log with time X followed by logs with X - some prior time...it's very
>> odd...
>>     
>
> Yes, the second process is created by a fork of the first one. The
> second one is doing DNS lookups that it sends back to the first once it
> has a definitive answer. The second process will exit when there is no
> longer anything for it to do. This is quite normal.
>
>   
>> If, on the command line, I stop ntpd both processes stop fine.  By
>> starting ntpd again...I note only one ntpd process running.
>>
>>     
>
> You should see both but it's possible that you waited too long and the
> second has already returned all of it's answers.
>
>   
>> My question is:  is this behavior normal on a dual processor box?  Based
>> on the odd timestamps in /var/log/messages - I would have to say only
>> one ntpd should be running...it almost "feels" like the two ntpd's are
>> fighting to set the system clock.
>>
>>     
>
> No, this is all normal. Only one of them is setting the clock.
>
> Danny
>
>   
>> Thanks in advance!
>>
>> Scot        
>>     
>
>
>   

-- 
Scot P. Floess
27 Lake Royale
Louisburg, NC  27549

252-478-8087 (Home)
919-754-4592 (Work)

Chief Architect JPlate  http://sourceforge.net/projects/jplate
Chief Architect JavaPIM http://sourceforge.net/projects/javapim




More information about the questions mailing list