On Wed, 5 Apr 2006 09:40:27 -0500, Curt Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>Hello, >I have a general question regarding the time synchronization across >heterogeneous servers that span thousands of miles apart from each other. >I have a large sysplex and distributed server environment, utilizing an IP >network. I have an NTP instance running on several of my MF servers, in >which the distributed servers call to obtain the time. This works fairly >well as there are not great distances between servers. However, as more >companies are building-out locations that are further apart in distances, >the latency may prove unacceptable. An example where this may be important >is during troubleshooting, where review of logs, etc maybe necessary. If >timestamps aren't tightly-coupled, it becomes more difficult to piece >together the picture that led up to an issue. > >My question(s) are then: 1) what options are available to maintain time >synchronization? I've heard of several that may have merit (GPS, >satellite, purchase of own atomic clock). 2) how are other companies >dealing with this? 3) is there a best-practice established for time >synchronization? > >Thank you. > It's been a while since I read the manuals, but I seem to recall reading about a process to help address latency within a sysplex. I thought it was for situations where the timers are geographically dispersed with the machines. I thought that same type of process was used to address latency with your external time source. We have our timer call Boulder Colorado once a week to sync the clocks. We can be a couple seconds off and not worry about it. Others have more stringent needs. Once again, it's been a long time since I looked at this stuff, so you should look again. I set it up and it just works. I seem to recall there were 800 numbers you could use and trusted web sites you can use as well. A lot of that was in the manuals, but those are pretty dated by now. I don't think IBM is maintaining the manuals. I believe their direction is away from the 9037 stand alone timers . Good luck. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the message: GET IBM-MAIN INFO Search the archives at http://bama.ua.edu/archives/ibm-main.html
