Enabling SNTP Authentication on 200, 300, & 500 Series Managed Switches

Objective:

On a network switch, system time can be set manually by the user, dynamically from an SNTP server, or synchronized from the PC running the GUI interface associated with Cisco. If an SNTP server is chosen, the manual time settings are overwritten when communications with the server are established. The SNTP Authentication page enables configuration of the keys that are used when connecting to an SNTP server. The authentication key is created on the SNTP server in a separate process that depends on the type of SNTP server you are using.

The objective of this article is to show you how to enable SNTP Authentication on the SG200, SG300 and SG500 Series switches for SNTP Network Time Synchronization.

Note: In order to enable SNTP Authentication, the SNTP mode must have already been selected. Please refer to Setting the System Time on Dynamically from a SNTP Server on 200, 300, & 500 Series Managed Switches for further assistance.

Applicable Devices:

• Cisco Small Business 200 Series Managed Switches
• Cisco Small Business 300 Series Managed Switches
• Cisco Small Business 500 Series Managed Switches

Software Versions:

• 1.3.0.59

Setting the System Time:

Step 1. Log in to the web configuration utility. The default username is “cisco” and the default password is “cisco”.

Step 2. Navigate to Administration > Time Settings > SNTP Authentication. The SNTP Authentication page opens:

Step 3. Check the Enable checkbox next to SNTP Authentication.

Step 4. Click Apply.

Step 5. Select Add to add a new SNTP Authentication Key.

The Add SNTP Authentication window opens:

Step 6. Enter the Identification Number in the Authentication Key ID field.

Step 7. Select the desired radio button for the Authentication Key and enter the key name in the field provided.

The options are as follows:

– User Defined (Encrypted) – Provides encryption between the client and server

– User Defined (Plaintext) – No encryption between client and server.

Step 8. (Optional) Check the Enable checkbox if you want the device to receive synchronization information only from an SNTP server using this authentication key.

Step 9. Click Apply to save settings.