I have a Mikrotik hAP ac3 router with a USB GPS and WhereAndWhen installed. I verified that PtP connected nodes receive GPS time and location. Can this router also serve as an NTP server to other (non-PtP) AREDN nodes?
I read what I could find about setting up WhereAndWhen, including adding custom DHCP tags. I also read about setting up an NTP service. I'm still pretty inexperienced so I would appreciate detailed instructions.
I read what I could find about setting up WhereAndWhen, including adding custom DHCP tags. I also read about setting up an NTP service. I'm still pretty inexperienced so I would appreciate detailed instructions.
Yes. Strike that. No.
"Can an AREDN router also serve as an NTP server?"
Yes.
This will work for all nodes in the LAN running any mode
(non-PtP) is not a requirement.
'If you run NTP on your node Continually then a new switch
will appear which allows your node to function as an NTP
Server for any of your LAN-connected devices.
The NTP Server switch is disabled by default.'
I added bold above.
73, Chuck
My PtP node also gets its time (and location) from the router.
However, my other mesh routers do not sync their time with my hAP-ac3. I added an NTP service to the router and put the <router name>.local.mesh address as the first entry in another node's NTP server list. Still no joy.
What am I doing wrong? What else do I need to do?
I added an NTP service to the router and put the .local.mesh address as the first entry in another node's NTP server list.
kl7kvg:
My brain is getting confused on your PtP connected nodes and your non-PtP connected nodes,
'mesh' is topography in my brain.
My NTP server is a RPi in my garage...not an AREDN node.
I am attaching a screen print of a remote (RF) connected node.
I hope this helps, Chuck
With WhereAndWhen running on router A and a USB GPS receiver attached, router B gets the time and position. Even after enabling constant updates and turning on the switch to allow router A to provide NTP service to LAN devices, I have had mixed results getting the time on Raspberry Pi C. Router D never gets the time from router A.
I reasoned that it should also be possible for router A to serve as an NTP server for router D (and other devices on the mesh). So far, I have not found a way to do it. If this is not possible I will do as you did and turn my Raspberry Pi into an NTP server.
C. Did you set your RPI's
/etc/systemd/timesyncd.conf
file to point at A.?
D. Did you set your 'Shadow's Time setting to include A.?
Reference my image in my previous reply?
3s, Chuck
Just to be sure I was working with "clean" systems I reset A to its initial configuration with a long press of the reset button and reconfigured everything. I also downloaded and installed a new RPI OS. All three devices can see each other. I cannot get the time to sync, though. I attached a Windows PC to A via the hotspot and attempted to reconfigure its NTP source to point to router A. No joy.
I have attached screen shots that I hope will help you help me further if you're willing to spend more time on this.
73, Jeff
Hi, Jeff:
I think I gave a wrong answer in message #2.
As I read the documents, an AREDN node can only serve NTP to its LAN devices and
not to other neighbor devices on the local AREDN network.
Sorry.
73, Chuck
Thank you so much for walking through this with me!
My SXT does get its time (and GPS coordinates) from the hAP as advertised in the documentation. It seemed reasonable to think it could provide NTP time to other nodes, as well. Sadly, my Shadow node couldn't get the time (consistent with your last comments). And neither could my Windows PC or my Raspberry Pi that were both connected to the hAP's LAN.
Having the DtD linked nodes share WhereAndWhen GPS time and location is useful. It's convenient to not have to enter the location on portable nodes. I think I will shift gears and see if I can get my Raspberry Pi to provide the NTP service.
73, KL7KVG