NTP Time Zone Change on VCS Version x7.2 Through CLI

Introduction

This document describes the problem encountered where you are required to change the Network Time Protocol (NTP) Server with the CLI when the web is not accessible.

Problem

The Video Communication Server (VCS) web GUI is not accessible due to the time zone not being supported by PHP.

The Apache logs on the VCS show that there was a problem with the DateTime Zone:

2014-06-27T01:38:26+00:00 VCGPKUO-MEX1VCSC httpd[14684]: PHP Fatal error: Uncaught
exception 'Exception' with message 'DateTimeZone::__construct() 
[datetimezone.--construct]: Unknown or bad timezone (localtime)' in 
/share/web/lib/applicationpage.php:305 Stack trace: #0 
/share/web/lib/applicationpage.php(305): DateTimeZone->__construct('localtime') 
#1 /share/web/lib/page.php(235): ApplicationPage->writeJavaScriptIncludesWrapper() 
#2 /share/web/lib/applicationpage.php(493): Page->startHTMLPage() #3 
/share/web/public/overview.php(177): ApplicationPage->render() #4 {main} thrown in 
/share/web/lib/applicationpage.php on line 305

Solution

The time zone should be one supported by PHP (Cisco bug ID CSCue48571); refer to List of Supported Timezones  for more information.

However, with Version X7.2, you cannot change the time zone/NTP setting from the CLI (Cisco bug ID CSCub89943) when the web is not accessible.

Hence, it must be changed with the dbxsh command on the VCS. Cisco recommends that you involve the Cisco Technical Assistance Center when this change must be performed.

Here are the steps:

1. Secure Shell (SSH) to the VCS.
2. Log in as root.
3. Run the dbxsh command.
4. Enter the xconfiguration time timezone: UTC command.
5. Type bye in order to exit to the root shell.
6. Quit SSH.

This time zone issue is resolved in VCS Version x8.