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Setup NTP Sync

MasterPC NTP Server configuration

Make sure time service is configured. If not use this command to set strat up to auto.

sc config w32time start= auto

By default the NTP server should be already configure during the OneClick install. If not ensure the following properties are set in the registry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\TimeProviders\NtpServer

Set the Enabled property to 1.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config

Set the AnnounceFlags property to 5.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters

Set the Type property to NoSync.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Config

Set the LocalClockDispersion property to 0.

Restart the NTP server with following commands from powershell:

net stop w32time && net start w32time

It is possible that the settings are being forced by a Windows Group Policy (GPO)—likely from your IT department or a Domain Controller. Even if you change the Registry manually, the Policy overwrites it instantly. In that case do the following:

Step 1: Open the Policy Editor

  • On the Windows PC, press Windows Key + R.
  • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to Time Service Settings

  • In the left-hand pane, navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Windows Time Service

Step 3: Change Global Configuration

  • Click on the Windows Time Service folder (not the sub-folders).
  • On the right, double-click Global Configuration Settings.
  • Set it to Enabled.
  • In the options list, find AnnounceFlags and change the value to 5.
  • Click Apply and OK.

Step 4: Configure Time Providers

  • In the left pane, go one level deeper into the Time Providers folder.
  • Double-click Enable Windows NTP Server and set it to Enabled.
  • Double-click Configure Windows NTP Client:
  • Set it to Enabled.
  • Set Type to NoSync (this forces the local CMOS clock to be the master)

Step 5: Change Global Configuration

  • Click on the Windows Time Service folder (not the sub-folders).
  • On the right, double-click Global Configuration Settings.
  • Scroll down the options list on the left side of the configuration window until you find LocalClockDispersion.
  • Change the value to 0 (the default is usually 10).
  • Click Apply and OK.

Step 6: Force the Update

  • Open Command Prompt (Admin).
  • Run the following commands: 
    gpupdate /force
net stop w32time && net start w32time
w32tm /config /update

PLC NTP Client configuration

To enable NTP server synchronization on Beckhoff PLC edit the following configuration in /etc/rc.conf :

ntpd_enabled="YES"

and following configuration in /etc/ntp.conf :

tos maxdist 30
server 192.168.201.1 iburst

Replace 192.168.201.1 with your Master PCs IP adress.

Run :

ntpq -p

correctly setup NTP should have the following output :

============================================================================== *192.168.203.1 .LOCL. 1 u 7 64 1 0.163 -14.210 2.474