Configuring the Controller for SNTP
Use the SNTP server to automatically set the real-time clock (RTC), ensuring each controller uses the same date and time for time-related services, events, and log files.
TIP:
It is strongly recommended to use SNTP to synchronize
controllers.
The AADvance controller supports a fault-tolerant Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) service, synchronizing the date and time used by the networks of the system. The NTP protocol enables time to be communicated using networks. Synchronizing the date and time used by controllers facilitates using the Sequence of Events (SOE) service for Boolean variables, log-based troubleshooting, and increasing the dependability of other investigations.
Configure a controller in one of two modes for SNTP:
- SNTP client
- SNTP server
Controllers are usually configured as SNTP clients, receiving the time from a dedicated time server. When no dedicated time server is available, the AADvance controller can be used as an SNTP server. Using a local time server enables broadcasting. Broadcasting is considered the most efficient and predictable way to circulate the time to many clients.
WARNING:
Using an NTP time server from the Internet is not recommended for
industrial applications since the network transmission delays are unpredictable.
Use one of these methods to provide a network time server:
Hardware time server | Retrieves the time of day from multiple sources such as GPS satellites,
radio-based international time standards (for example, DCF 77 in Germany), and the
internal clock of the hardware. The hardware time server is the most adaptable
option. |
Software time server | A computer-based NTP server. The program enables controlling and configuring the
NTP services for Microsoft® Windows. Certain programs also
enable switching between configurations, changing service settings, extracting
related log entries, and displaying the current status of local and external NTP
services. |
Processor module | The AADvance controller uses the real-time clock of one of the 9110 processor
modules. The default value for a new processor module is January 1, 1900. Configure any of the three processor modules as time servers. When one processor
module is configured as an SNTP server, the other processor modules, including the
module set as the server, must not be configured as SNTP clients. The processor modules of the controller automatically agree on the time. |
Whether configuring SNTP as a client, server, or both, always select both Ethernet ports of a processor slice (even when only a primary server is required). The first Ethernet port selected in the list is considered the primary network time server. The secondary time server is only used when no primary network time server is visible.
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