Configure Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) Multicast/Anycast on ESW2-550X Switch

Objective

Simple Network Time Protocol (SNTP) dynamically synchronizes the time of the network device with the SNTP server. The system time of the ESW2-550X series switch can be set via the SNTP server through two switch modes: multicast client mode and anycast client mode. The switch can support both modes at the same time and selects the best time received from an SNTP server that is closest to the reference clock.

The objective of this document is to explain how to configure SNTP Multicast/Anycast on the ESW2-550X Series Stackable Switches.

Applicable Devices

• ESW2-550X-48DC-R
• ESW2-550X-48-R

Software Version

• v1.2.9.44

SNTP Multicast/Anycast

Enable SNTP Multicast/Anycast

Step 1.  Log in to the web configuration utility and choose Administration > Time Settings > SNTP Multicast/Anycast. The SNTP Multicast/Anycast page opens:

Step 2. Check the desired check box to select the mode by which the switch should receive its system time. You can also select both the options:

• SNTP Mutilcast Client Mode (Client Broadcast Reception) — Allows the SNTP server(s) to broadcast the time, and the switch listens to these broadcasts. When the switch is in this mode, there is no need to define a Unicast SNTP server.

• SNTP Anycast Client Mode (Client Broadcast Transmission) — Allows the switch to broadcast the time request packets to all SNTP servers and waits for a response.

Step 3. Click Apply to save the changes.

Add Multicast/Anycast Table Entry

Step 1. Click Add to add a multicast entry. A new window appears:

A new window appears:

Step 2.  Click the radio button that corresponds to the desired interface in the Interface field. 

The available options are configured as follows:

• Unit/Slot and Port — From the Unit/Slot drop-down list, choose the unit in the stack (1 for standalone models) and slot number (either 1 or 2) you want to configure the settings. From the Port drop-down list, choose the port you want to configure.

• LAG (Link Aggregation Group)— Click the LAG radio button and choose the logical port channel from the drop-down list to apply the settings for that port channel. LAG is a bundle of many physical ports which forms a single logical channel.

• VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)— Click the VLAN radio button an choose the VLAN from the drop-down list that you want to configure.

Step 3. Click Apply. You will be taken back to the SNTP Multicast/Anycast page.

Delete Multicast/Anycast Table Entry

Step 1. Check the check box of the desired entry that you want to delete and then click the Delete button. The configuration is removed.