Configure the date and time on the server

The ByteBlower is rarely the only instrument in the lab. Especially when comparing events on different tools, it's very useful to have the same time on all. In this article, we'll explain how to configure the time on your ByteBlower.

ByteBower supports two approaches to setting time. The manual time configuration sets the time right once. Over weeks, months, or years the clock on the system will drift away the real time. The automatic time synchronization takes a bit more work but avoids this drift.

For a single system, we recommend doing the manual time config. Once you have multiple ByteBlowers in your lab, we suggest using NTP or PTP for automatic time synchronization.

To configure the time, date, and timezone you can use our configurator tool installed on the system. Start this by typing byteblower-configurator in the console. Open the configurator from the ByteBlower servers console:

byteblower-configurator

Dismiss this welcome message and follow these steps:

Time Configuration

If you want to change the time and date, select option 1

You can choose between NTP (Network Time Protocol ) PTP ( only on 2100 and 4100 ) or Manual.

NTP is the preferred time synchronization on the 1x00, 3x00 and 5x00 models. The ByteBlower will continuously adapt time to updates from a remote timeserver.

For the 4100 and 2100 systems we recommend using PTP. The NTP configuration will only correct the time at startup.

For NTP you can use different servers to sync with by hostname or IP address. Multiple servers can be added, separated by a comma. 

PTP is the Precision Time Protocol. This is the preferred option for the ByteBlower 2100 and 4100.  These models use hardware acceleration for their traffic generation. This extra piece of hardware is also responsible for the time-management.

In addition to the PTP server, you will also need the PTP cable. Each ByteBlower is shipped with an appropriate cable, but you can contact us at support if it went missing. The cable has a standard RJ45 input. The other end is connected to the network with the PTP master clock.

PTP Clock domain: Clock domain to sync with
PTP User description: (optional) description

To configure your timezone select option 2

Choose your continent

Choose your country

 Go back to the main menu and Save and Exit to store and active the time configuration