[ntp:questions] drift file set to -500

Tom Smith smith at cag.zko.hp.com
Wed Nov 28 17:24:42 UTC 2007


Steve Kostecke wrote:
> On 2007-11-28, Tom Smith <smith at cag.zko.hp.com> wrote:
> 
>> Steve Kostecke wrote:
>>
>>> On 2007-11-28, Tom Smith <smith at cag.zko.hp.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> ntpdate is deprecated and no longer maintained.
>>>
>>> 'ntpq -gq' is the suggested replacement using ntpd.
>> And wait until it finishes, of course.
> 
> # time ntpd -gq
> ntpd: time slew -0.000121s
> 
> real    0m7.053s
> user    0m0.020s
> sys     0m0.028s
> 
> (using my ISP's time server located at least 15 hops from here)
> 
>> and proceed immediately.
> 
> ntpdate is deprecated and no longer maintained. It is known to set the
> clock incorrectly in certain circumstances.
> 
> Save the 6 seconds if you wish ...
> 

Leaving aside the hand waves, OP would probably find it
useful to have the complete repair procedure documented.

Alternative A
-------------
Stop ntpd
Run "ntpdate -b [server]"
Delete the drift file
Start ntpd
Let it run for a day or 2

Alternative B (may not be available, depending on the ntpd version installed)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construct a second ntp.conf for use by ntpd -gq
   Details left as an exercise to the reader - multiple servers, iburst, etc.
Stop ntpd
Delete the drift file
Run "ntpd -gq -c [configuration file]
Wait for completion
Delete the drift file, if any
Start ntpd
Let it run for a day or 2




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