Configure NTP for Prisma SD-WAN
Let us learn to configure NTP for Prisma SD-WAN.
Network Time Protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize
time between distributed time servers and clients.
NTP Client
has the capability to receive time from one or more time sources
(NTP servers) using Network Time Protocol (NTP). An NTP Client can
synchronize time by polling an NTP server. The ION device acts as
an NTP Client and synchronizes its time with the configured NTP
Servers. Synchronizing a client with an NTP server involves several
packet exchanges, wherein each exchange consists of a request and
a reply. NTP uses UDP/IP packets for data transfer due to faster
connection and response times.
In addition to NTP configuration,
the Prisma SD-WAN web interface provides NTP configuration templates
at the tenant level. When you claim a device, it creates an NTP
configuration by default. The NTP configuration will have the following
pre-configured set of time sources. The maximum number of time sources
or NTP servers supported per ION device is 10.
Host | Version | Minpoll | Maxpoll |
---|---|---|---|
0.cloudgenix.pool.ntp.org | 4 | 9 | 10 |
1.cloudgenix.pool.ntp.org | 4 | 9 | 10 |
2.cloudgenix.pool.ntp.org | 4 | 9 | 10 |
3.cloudgenix.pool.ntp.org | 4 | 9 | 10 |
time.nist.gov | 4 | 13 | 15 |
Prisma SD-WAN also provides an implicit Controller
Time Source (CTS) which is available for use as a system fail-safe
in cases where there is no time source. This is because the accuracy
of time from the Controller is very low compared to typical Stratum
1 or Stratum 2 clocks that can supply time using NTP.
Create NTP Configuration Templates
- On the Prisma SD-WAN web interface, navigate toSystem Administration.
- On theSystem Administration, clickTemplates. SelectNTPas the template from theTemplates Managerdrop-down.
- On theCreate New NTP Templatescreen, enter aName,(Optional)Description, and(Optional)add aTag.You may add new NTP servers or edit information for existing NTP servers.
- ClickSave.
Add or Edit NTP Server Configuration
- Navigate toMap, select a device and select the optionConfigure the devicefrom the ellipsis menu.
- Click theNTP Clienttab.
- ClickAdd NTP Serverto add a new NTP server, or clickEditfor an NTP server record to change information for an existing NTP server.You can remove a time source by clickingRemoveat the time source record.
- On theEdit NTP Serverscreen, you can add or change the host IP address or domain name in theHostfield.
- Change the NTP versions if needed in theVersionfield.NTP versions 2, 3 and 4 are supported.
- Enter values for minimum polling interval in theMin Pollfield and maximum polling interval in theMax Pollfield.The Min Poll and Max poll values specify the minimum and maximum polling intervals for NTP messages in seconds as a power of two.For example, aMin Pollvalue of4indicates a polling interval of 16 seconds. The values of Min Poll and Max Poll can be set between 4 and 17.You can force an NTP client to poll an NTP server instantly by clicking the refresh button on theNTP Clientscreen. This is an on-demand synchronization, after which polling will continue as per the values set in theMin PollandMax Pollfields.
- ClickSave.
Configure NTP Servers
- Navigate toMap, select a device and select the optionConfigure the devicefrom the ellipsis menu.
- Click theNTP Clienttab.
- Enter a name for the NTP configuration in theNamefield.You can create NTP configuration from an existing template by clickingLoad from Template.
- (Optional)Select one or more source interfaces from theSource Interfacesdrop-down.A source interface is the interface used for sending a request to an NTP server. A source interface can include PPPoE or sub-interfaces with IP addresses. This does not include VPN interfaces. Up to 10 source interfaces are supported.You cannot delete a sub-interface or PPPoE that is configured as a source interface. If a port is configured as a member of a bypass pair, it cannot be used as a source interface for NTP.
- Add a(Optional)Descriptionand enter a(Optional)Tagin the respective fields.
- Add additional NTP sources by clickingAdd NTP Server.ToEditinformation for an NTP Server, selectNTP Server Recordfrom the ellipsis menu. You may also view the status of the configured NTP servers.
- ClickSave.You may save the created NTP client configuration as a template by clickingSave As Template. This template can be used to create an NTP configuration by using theLoad from Templateoption.
Load NTP Configuration from a Template
- Navigate toMap, select a device and select the optionConfigure the devicefrom the ellipsis menu.
- Click theNTP Clienttab.
- ClickLoad from Template.
- Selectthe required template from the drop-down.Information from the selected NTP template is displayed in the NTP configuration.
- ClickSave.
Recommended For You
Recommended Videos
Recommended videos not found.