Setting external time server in WS2K8 R2?

[Compman55]

I am really stuck on this. If I type w32tm /monitor

I get my DC's name DC01.server.local.

How does a DC sync its time by default if I do not configure it? It seems to be close somehow.

I want to set my time server to external like time.windows.com. I have not been successful.

I ran the following: w32tm /config /computer:DC01.server.local /manualpeerlist:time.windows.com /syncfromflags:manual /update

[imagoon]

Control panel -> date and time -> Internet time.

By default the DC that is the time master will go to time.windows.com. You can set other servers there if you prefer. Domain connected machines will ignore the external sources if a DC is available.

[imagoon]

Also remember NTP does not just set the time on a DC. It will "drift" the clock until it is correct so if the DC was 8 minutes slow from the outside world. The server would accelerate seconds (ie 1 second -> .998 seconds) until the clock caught up.

[rsutoratosu]

I dont often get time correctly from time.windows.com . Check into pool.ntp.org

I usually use this article, configuring windows time to use an external time source, ie pool.ntp.org. I dont get good results using the w32tm. I'm sure it does the same.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/816042

[her209]

Use the net time command

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../bb490716.aspx

[SFCanuck]

I agree with rsutoratosu that using the resources in pool.ntp.org is a god idea. I have found that w32tm will work although sometimes I have to run it a couple of times. Remember to run it from an elevated command window - even if you are logged in as the domain admin.

Execute the following (all on one line, natch):

w32tm /config /syncfromflags:manual /manualpeerlist:0.pool.ntp.org,1.pool.ntp.org,2.poo l.ntp.org,3.pool.ntp.org

Stop then restart Windows Time Service
net stop W32Time
net start W32Time
Verify:
w32tm /query /status

When successful the Stratum should be set to 2 or 3 (can't remember which) and the source set to:
0.pool.ntp.org,1.pool.ntp.org,2.pool.ntp.org,3.poo l.ntp.org

Also ensure the time service is able to reliably contact one of the time servers using the command:
w32tm /stripchart /computer:0.pool.ntp.org