I'm trying to troubleshoot some problems relating to network logins
(with the combined AD+OD environments), as Kerberos has very specific
requirements for time synchronization.
In the ARD manual from Apple, it mentions both the UNIX Command
Template and the actual UNIX command you can use to set the network
time. This is great. My question is, though, how does it work? Let me
elaborate: I have a machine which is, say, 5 minutes slow. For
whatever reason (let's say because of firewalling), it can't connect
to time.apple.com to synchronize it's clock. Too bad. So, I use this
command sent out (as root) via ARD:
systemsetup -setusingnetworktime on -setnetworktimeserver
timeserver.mycompany.com
The reply from the client says "I'm already using NTP, but now I've
ditched apple.com and I'm going with your server". The trouble is, the
clock doesn't update -- at least not right away. It's still out by 5
minutes. But, if I go to System Preferences and then go to Date &
Time, it polls the NTP server for what the time actually is and,
voila, refreshes the clock.
The systemsetup --help flag displays this:
Usage: systemsetup -getdate
Display current date.
Usage: systemsetup -setdate <mm:dd:yy>
Set current date to <mm:dd:yy>.
Usage: systemsetup -gettime
Display current time.
Usage: systemsetup -settime <hh:mm:ss>
Set current time to <hh:mm:ss>.
Usage: systemsetup -gettimezone
Display current time zone.
Usage: systemsetup -settimezone <timezone>
Set current time zone to <timezone>. Use "-listtimezones" to
list time zones.
Usage: systemsetup -listtimezones
List time zones supported by this machine.
Usage: systemsetup -getusingnetworktime
Display whether network time is on or off.
Usage: systemsetup -setusingnetworktime <on off>
Set using network time to either <on> or <off>.
Usage: systemsetup -getnetworktimeserver
Display network time server.
Usage: systemsetup -setnetworktimeserver <timeserver>
Set network time server to <timeserver>.
I'm unable to find a command that actually means "Hey, go out and poll
the NTP server right now". So, my question is: does anyone know a way
to do it? I have 200 clients, I don't want to either email them to
tell them to go to Date & Time, or tell them to reboot. At least, not
yet...
Any advice? TIA!
Chris
