Wonder if this will get posed, or returned to me.. Hi...
Been lurking for a while. Also, been messing about trying to get a local (to me) GPS Disciplined NTP server working, based on David Taylor's work with FreeBSD, I think I have one of those configured OK, but I've got other issues with FreeBSD on that machine that sort of prevent me using it for unattended "appliance" use. It keeps generating system emails for the Root user, and I can't find out why! Other than its something about recovered editor files? So... I'm about to try a couple of Windows "solutions" (opportunities) One the "Tardis" program, that would appear to be able to take PPS based GPS signals, and act as a server. Have to say, if it works, that would be a good solution for some other interested parties (near zero config!) The author of that app seems to think it should work (they would I guess?) Plus, I know my way around most of Windoze, unlike my knowledge of Linuz/BSD or whatever, that just slows me down to the point of frustration. No one in the (local to me) LUG is interested in any of this sort of thing sadly. (& just why is it that about all 'nix documentation and help files, are written almost exclusively to obfuscate the needed information?) Also the Meinberg NTP software (not looked at in detail yet) Both of them (independently while I play with them) will each live on a dedicated PC for now, but ultimately one or the other would need to co-exist on the same PC with the monitoring program (Faros) that needs the time stamps. Pointing it's NTP client routines at LocalHost? Low single figure mS jitter is OK, sub uS accuracy is just not needed. However, while involved in something else, this came to my attention.... http://bifferos.bizhat.com/ Now, I realise the clock speed is not that quick by modern standards, but could that have enough "grunt" to work as a GPSDNTP server for a small low traffic LAN?.. OK, I've managed (I think, as earlier) to get an older version of FreeBSD to run for this sort of thing (on a 500MHz P3 machine) But, just how cut down can it go, with just enough left to boot and do the NTP task, or is the Kernel BifferOS uses capable of half decent NPT serving tasks as it is? It appears to use a version of the same code others are using in the WRTG routers for other purposes. Or, has anyone done similar with "re-purposed" Router hardware for example (Linksys, Sweex, etc) I am aware of someone selling (too rich for me!) a GPSDNTP server based on a "Slug" (eBay 180384450442) using a USB connected GPS. My ultimate goal? To get Faros (HF Beacon monitoring program, runs on Windows, only.) A GPSDNTP source, HF Receiver control app (my own code) and the resulting web based status page (or website updater) all living on the same PC. I may have a 1GHz P3 available, if I can get replacement RAM for it. With Win2k already resident. And a couple of Garmin GPS16LVS devices, verified working with 1PPS output. Now, if Alex would integrate GPS timekeeping within Faros, all this would not be needed, but he has his own reasons it seems for not doing so. As a result, it needs a 24/7 'net connection, or access to some other NTP time source. My ISP's servers are somewhat less than reliable at times, likewise access to others due to unpredictable and huge WAN network latencies from time to time. I also can't help wondering if any of the modern single chip microcontrollers, some of which have available IP stacks, could do the GPSDNTP thing in raw machine (or compiled) code. But try as I might, I can find no reference to anyone trying such a thing. I am of course trying to keep the electric bill down, running 3 PC's and a radio or two 24/7 is somewhat noticeable to the wallet these days, and it is not getting any easier!... Then there is the chore of just finding the time to research and mess with all this stuff... Enough waffle from me... Regards to All.. Dave Baxter. G0WBX. _______________________________________________ questions mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ntp.org/mailman/listinfo/questions
