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How to

How to


Products: AS-B, Edge Server, AS-P, Virtual Project Servers
Functionalities: Localization
Product version: 2023, 2024
4/17/2023

Synchronizing the Automation Server Clock

You configure the automation server to synchronize its clock with a network time server.

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​Consistent date and timestamping across a network is critical for system wide access control, security, communications, scheduling, alarms, and events. Network time uses the NTP protocol that provides the correct current UTC time.

Network Time on WorkStation, Enterprise Server, and Enterprise Central

The network time settings on WorkStation, Enterprise Server, and Enterprise Central are configured through the operating system settings on the computer where WorkStation, Enterprise Server, or Enterprise Central are installed. For more information on how to configure network time settings, refer to the manufacturer’s manual for the operating system.

Network Time Server on an Automation Server

To configure automation server network time settings, you have to log on to the automation server through WorkStation. When logged in, the automation server has a Date & Time view where you configure the network time server addresses.

When configuring the automation server network time server address, you can define two time server addresses: primary time server and secondary time server. If the automation server fails to connect to the primary time server, it tries to synchronize its clock with the secondary.

Authenticated Network Time Servers

To increase the security of your system, you can use authenticated network time. By using authenticated network time, you decrease the risk that someone will tamper with your time setting.

To be able to use authenticated network time, you connect your EcoStruxure BMS server to an authenticated time server. You need the secure key ID and and key value password that is provided by the authenticated time server administrator.

You can use the lead/shadow relationship to transfer the authenticated time server setting and its secure key ID and key value password from the lead server or you can configure the secure time server manually on your EcoStruxure BMS server. When you use the lead/shadow relationship the Enterprise Server transfers the setting for the time server to the automation server. The automation server then uses the authenticated time server configuration to go online and get the correct time from the secure time server.

The lead/shadow relationship can also be used to transfer the settings from the time server on an Enterprise Central to an Enterprise Server.

 
action_zoom_plus_stroke The lead and shadow relationship.  
Figure: The lead and shadow relationship.  

To synchronize the Automation Server clock

  1. In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, select the automation BMS server you want to configure.

  2. Click the Control Panel tab.

  3. Click Network time and time zones .

  4. In the automation server Date & time view, select Network time synchronization .

  5. In the Primary time server box, type the address to the primary time server that you want to synchronize the automation server clock with.

  6. In the Secondary time server box, type the address to the time server that you want to synchronize the automation server clock with if the primary time server is not available.

  7. Click the Save button

     
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See Also

  • Network Time
  • Time and Time Zone Configuration in Automation Server
  • Automation Server – Date & Time View
  • Manually Changing the Automation Server Time and Date
  • Changing the Time Zone of an EcoStruxure BMS Server
  • Creating a Custom Time Zone of an EcoStruxure BMS Server