Setting the Time Straight
One minor annoyance is having the time (hh:mm:ss) set wrong between the server, voice mail and the phone extensions. This webpage discusses how to set the time to a time server using the Network Time Protocol (NTP). Fortunately, you don't have to know anything about the NTP protocol just the domain name or IP address of a public accessed time server. Many local networks already have a time server running, ask your administrator or IS guy. If you don't have a time server running, then you can find one at ntp.org, they have a list of public time servers that you can use.
Phone Time
Most SIP phones have a configuration parameter in their menu for syncing their time to a time server. The first step is to set the time zone that you are in. This example is based on the Snom-190 SIP phone web interface menus:
The time zone is selected by a pull-down menu. You can use the IP address or the domain name for the time server. Save and it will immediately sync to the time server with the correct time
Server Time
The server time is synced to a time server also. You use the Webmin online configuration tool to configure the time.
Select the Hardware option and System Time choice.
There are three steps to making it work:
- Enter the IP address or the domain name for the time server
- Check the "Set hardware time too" box
- Select "Simple schedule", hourly updates should be fine unless you have a compelling reason to update sooner or later.
Checking the Time
There are three checks that you want to do to verify that time is in sync:
- From the Server
Return to the Webmin main menu and you should see the correct time displayed:
- From an Extension
From any extension, you can verify the time by pressing *60. A nice lady will tell you the current time.
- From a Voicemail
Lastly, send yourself a voice mail stating the current time. When you receive the voicemail, it will have a timestamp that should match your voice message.
- From the Server
