I wish to keep time synchronised by using my ISP's timeserver. This box is a stand-alone one, and I connect using a modem.
After installing xntp3 and xntp3-doc packages, I find the docs far too complex to fully understand, and the program aims for far greater accuracy than I need. /etc/ntp.conf allows for an xntpd logfile, a directory for ntpstats (loopstats, peerstats and clockstats) and a driftfile. I have edited the file to include the server (tick.xxxx.net). When I run /usr/sbin/xntpd, I appear to connect and the program seems to start, but I cannot tell from the log if it has been successful. (Before starting, I ascertained from timeticker that the clock was out by some 52 secs). /var/log/xntpd shows the following:- 20.19.55 xntpd [171] synchronized to <time server>, stratum =2 20.20.29 xntpd [171] time reset (stop) 33.461355 s 20.20.29 xntpd [171] synchronization lost 20.27.00 xntpd [171] synchronized to <time server>, stratum =3 20.30.13 synchronization lost 20.32.20 synchronizsed to <time server>, stratum =2 20.35.33 synchronization lost I can't understand the /var/log/ntpstats files (loopstats and peerstats) as the columns seem not to relate to what /etc/ntp.conf suggests to me they should. At the same time, one column which could refer to time differences in seconds could indicate an attempt was made to synchronize - the first entries 53.xxxxxxx, the next 0.xxxxxxx and the last lot -1.xxxxxxx. Are there any explanatory notes (preferably in simple terms) for the contents of the ntpstat log files? Can anyone offer any ideas as to where I should go from here? Grateful for any assistance, John.
