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MCX for Time Server

  • November 10, 2011
  • 4 replies
  • 35 views
T
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Hi all,

I have an MCX Managed Preference I called "Internal Time Server"
User Level Enforced
Domain: ~/Library/Preference/com.apple.MCX
Key: timeServer
Value: myjss.server.com

And it works great. All my Macs point to myjss.server.com and the JSS points to our AD Controller for its time.

The above MCX Preference 'grays out' the field (in Date & Time) to enter in a time server address and keeps the myjss.server.com in there. The actual config file is /etc/ntp.conf and reads as such
server myjss.server.com

Now here is the situation.
Laptop users go abroad somewhere else on the planet with a different time zone. They are knowledgeable enough to change the Time Zone settings and that keeps the System and Office apps (Entourage 14.. I mean Outlook 2011) in order but again, if the battery dies complete as they let it do, and of course being on the outside of our hallowed network the clock never fixes until they come back to the office. Which can be a while.

So I tried to edit with pico /etc/ntp.conf to read as such:
server myjss.server.com prefer
server time.euro.apple.com

Awesome!!! I got 2 Time Servers to ping to. Internally preferred and externally as a backup. The Date & Time Control Panel reads both entries separated by a comma. But after reboot, my serious pico edits are gone gone gone and revert to what the MCX says.

Bummer.

So I edited the above MCX Managed Preference's (from within the JSS) to read:
Value: myjss.server.com prefer, time.euro.apple.com

After reboot I can read the /etc/ntp.conf but all inline as:
server myjss.server.com prefer, time.euro.apple.com
Then looking at the Date & Time Control Panel shows only myjss.server.com so it seems that didn't work.

I also tried using a semi-colon thinking that as the 'escape' character but nope.
Guess I can make a local shell script that will ensure the ntp.conf file is written correctly. But I was hoping it to be done via MCX. I like MCX.. Give me a God Complex!
Lol

Thanks in advance!

-pat

    4 replies

    ImAMacGuy
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    • ImAMacGuy
    • Esteemed Contributor
    • November 10, 2011

    I'm also interested in this, we seem to have a rash of people letting
    their batteries completely drain and the system no longer able to sign
    in due to the time server sync.

    John Wojda

    Lead System Engineer, DEI & Mobility

    3333 Beverly Rd. B2-338B

    Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

    Phone: (847)286-7855

    Page: (224)532.3447

    Team Lead DEI: Matt Beiriger
    <mailto:mbeirig at searshc.com;jwojda at searshc.com?subject=John%20Wojda%20Fe
    edback&body=I%20am%20contacting%20you%20regarding%20John%20Wojda.>

    Team Lead Mobility: Chris
    <mailto:cstaana at searshc.com;jwojda at searshc.com?subject=John%20Wojda%20Fe
    edback&body=I%20am%20contacting%20you%20regarding%20John%20Wojda.> Sta
    Ana

    Mac Tip/Tricks/Self Service & Support
    <http://bit.ly/gMa7TB>

    "Any time you choose to be inflexible in your approach to an
    unpredictable project you are already building failure into your plan"

    S
    Forum|alt.badge.img+12
    • SeanA
    • Contributor
    • November 10, 2011

    My initial thought is having two different MCX, each with a different scope. It would work in any case where the buildings are defined by subnets.

    Sean
    ~~~~~~~~~
    Sean Alexander
    Desktop Analyst
    Macintosh Services Delivery
    Lockheed Martin - Enterprise Business Services
    ~~~~~~~~~

    talkingmoose
    Forum|alt.badge.img+36
    • talkingmoose
    • Community Manager
    • November 11, 2011

    Untested: Try separating the values using a space rather than a comma.
    On 11/10/11 9:54 AM, "Pat Camporeale" <Pat.Camporeale at wk.com> wrote:

    You can enter multiple time server addresses manually in the time server
    field if you use a space between them. Close and open the preference pane
    and you'll see the commas appear between each server.

    --

    William Smith
    Technical Analyst
    Merrill Communications LLC
    (651) 632-1492

    A
    • Anonymous
    • November 17, 2011

    we seem to have a rash of people letting their batteries completely drain

    On 11 November 2011 02:00, Wojda, John <John.Wojda at searshc.com> wrote: and the system no longer able to sign in due to the time server sync.

    We have the same issue from time to time causing students' MacBook Pros to
    not accept our CA and as a result don't connect to our wireless network.

    I *had* a thought about writing a script that runs on boot to record the
    date/time to a file. Before that, in that same script, if the machine's
    current year is less than that of the file, the script can safely assume
    the battery has been bled dry and therefore set the date/time to that of
    the file; it should at least be within a close enough range to accept the
    CA for wireless authentication then be corrected via NTP.

    But, to be honest, this is a human problem, so I haven't actually tried
    this. The students need to learn to take responsibility for the machines.

    Just a thought.

    Cheers,
    Doug

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