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IBM AIX HowTo: Step-by-step instructions for switching between NTP v3 and NTP v4

How To


Summary

This document provides step-by-step instructions for switching between NTP (Network Time Protocol) version 3 and version 4 for the IBM AIX operating system. As a courtesy, a KSH (korn shell) script is included with this document to simplify switching between NTP versions.

Environment

The instructions in this document apply to all versions of AIX 6.x, AIX 7.x, and higher.

Steps

Option #1.  Manually switch from NTP v3 to v4

This section provides step by step instructions to switch from NTP v3 to NTP v4.

Step 1.  Confirm that NTP V4 is installed on the system

# lslpp -h ntp.rte

If the ntp.rte fileset is not installed, locate the ntp.rte fileset from the AIX Expansion Pack disk, then install the ntp.rte fileset using the installp or smitty installp commands. 

NOTE: The openssl.base and openssl.license filesets are required to install the ntp.rte fileset.  The openssl filesets are also located on the Expansion Pack disk.

Step 2. Switch from NTP v3 to NTP v4

From a command prompt and while logged in as the root user, execute the following commands:

# cd /usr/sbin
# stopsrc -s xntpd
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/ntpdate4 ntpdate
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/ntpq4 ntpq
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/ntptrace4 ntptrace
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/sntp4 sntp
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/ntpd4 xntpd
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp4/ntpdc4 xntpdc
# startsrc -s xntpd

Option #2.  Manually switch from NTP v4 to v3

This section provides step by step instructions to switch from NTP v4 to NTP v3.

Step 1. Switch from NTP v4 to NTP v3

From a command prompt and while logged in as the root user, execute the following commands:

# cd /usr/sbin
# stopsrc -s xntpd
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/ntpdate ntpdate
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/ntpq ntpq
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/ntptrace ntptrace
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/sntp sntp
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/xntpd xntpd
# ln -sf /usr/sbin/ntp3/xntpdc xntpdc
# startsrc -s xntpd

Option #3.  Use a KSH shell script to switch between NTP v3 and NTP v4

This section provides step by step instructions to convert between NTP v4 and NTP v3.

Step 1. Download and install the ch-ntp.sh shell script

Click on this link for ch-ntp.sh to download the script then copy the ch-ntp.sh file to the AIX system.

NOTE: The ch-ntp.sh script is provided as a courtesy, however it is provided as-is, without warranty and without guarantee of having no defects, and support is not available.

The ch-ntp.sh script does include basic error handling in an effort to minimize user errors.

On the AIX system, execute the following command to make the script executable:

# chmod 755 ch-ntp.sh

Step 2.  Execute the ch-ntp.sh script

2.a. View the license and support agreement

# ch-ntp.sh -l

2.b. Show currently used and installed versions of NTP

# ch-ntp.sh -c -i

2.c. Toggles between NTP v3 and NTP v4 (if NTP v4 is installed)

# ch-ntp.sh

2.d.  Attempts to switch to NTP v3

# ch-ntp.sh -v3

2.e.  Attempts to switch to NTP v4 (if installed)

# ch-ntp.sh -v4


Additional Information

REFERENCES:

IBM KnowledgeCenter: Network Time Protocol (NTP)

Configuring NTP on AIX 5L (technote)

IBM KnowledgeCenter: ntpd4 Daemon

IBM KnowledgeCenter: xntpd Daemon

SUPPORT:

If additional assistance is required after completing all of the instructions provided in this document, please follow the step-by-step instructions below to contact IBM to open a case for software under warranty or with an active and valid support contract.  The technical support specialist assigned to your case will confirm that you have completed these steps.

a.  Document and/or take screen shots of all symptoms, errors, and/or messages that might have occurred

b.  Capture any logs or data relevant to the situation.

c.  Contact IBM to open a case:

   -For electronic support, please visit the IBM Support Community:
     https://www.ibm.com/mysupport
   -If you require telephone support, please visit the web page:
      https://www.ibm.com/planetwide/

d.  Provide a good description of your issue and reference this technote

e.  Upload all of the details and data to your case

   -You can attach files to your case in the IBM Support Community
   -Or Upload data to IBM testcase server analysis:

    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ibm10733581

f.  Click here to submit feedback for this document.


Document was written by Roger Leuckie on November 2, 2018 with contributions from Tu Vo.

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Document Information

More support for:
AIX

Software version:
All Versions

Operating system(s):
AIX

Document number:
738319

Modified date:
08 November 2019

UID

ibm10738319

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