Synchronizing the system time across the cluster

Synchronizing the time ensures that every node in the cluster has the same time, and prevents CIFS and Kerberos failures.

1. Verify that the system time and time zone is set correctly for each node.
   All nodes in the cluster should be set to the same time zone.
   1. Use the cluster date show command to display the current date, time, and time zone for each node.
      Example

      cluster1::> cluster date show
      Node         Date                Time zone
      ------------ ------------------- -----------------
      cluster1-01  01/06/2015 09:35:15 America/New_York
      cluster1-02  01/06/2015 09:35:15 America/New_York
      cluster1-03  01/06/2015 09:35:15 America/New_York
      cluster1-04  01/06/2015 09:35:15 America/New_York
      4 entries were displayed.

   2. Optional: Use the cluster date modify command to change the date or time zone for all of the nodes.
      Example
      This example changes the time zone for the cluster to be GMT:

      cluster1::> cluster date modify -timezone GMT

2. Use the cluster time-service ntp server create command to associate the cluster with your NTP server.
   • To set up your NTP server without symmetric authentication enter the following command: cluster time-service ntp server create -server server_name
   • To set up your NTP server with symmetric authentication, enter the following command: cluster time-service ntp server create -server server_ip_address -key-id key_id
     Note: Symmetric authentication is available beginning in ONTAP 9.5. It is not available in ONTAP 9.4 or earlier.
   Example
   This example assumes that DNS has been configured for the cluster. If you have not configured DNS, you must specify the IP address of the NTP server:

   cluster1::> cluster time-service ntp server create -server ntp1.example.com 

3. Verify that the cluster is associated with an NTP server: cluster time-service ntp server show
   Example

   cluster1::> cluster time-service ntp server show  
   Server               Version
   -------------------- -----------
   ntp1.example.com     auto