VM /ETC

Up until ESX version 3.5 you had to modify various config files to configure ESX NTP time sync. This process was previously automated by the set_ntp.sh script, but now it is even easier because the VI Client can now configure the necessary NTP settings for the ESX host natively.

The following text and instructions were copied in part from the post VMware ESX 3.5 and VirtualCenter 2.5 small features guide by Eric Siebert found on searchvmware.techtarget.com:

VI Client ESX NTP time configuration steps.
You no longer have to edit text files on the Service Console to configure ESX to sync to an NTP time server. They can be set using the following steps:

1. go to VI Client under Configuration -> Time Configuration
2. click the Properties link
3. check the ‘NTP Client Enabled’ box under the NTP Configuration section
4. click the Options button and select Start and Stop with Host in the General section
5. Click the NTP settings section
6. click the Add button to add a NTP server (or multiple servers). You can remove 127.127.1.0 which is the local system clock here
7. click OK to apply your changes and start service.

The ESX built-in firewall will automatically be modified to allow outgoing connections on port 123. Your server clock should shortly start syncing with the NTP server you selected. You can check the current time by clicking the Refresh link in the VI Client.

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