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==Synchronizing using a NTP server on the IP network==
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{{AI}}
The AlphaCom can syncronize its real time clock with Network Time Protocol (NTP) time servers on the IP network. Define the IP address of the NTP server in the [[AlphaWeb#Time_and_Date|Time and Date settings]] in AlphaWeb.
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The [[AlphaCom clock|realtime clock]] of the ICX-AlphaCom (as with any other computer device) is not accurate, and might drift over time. The clock will drift due to fluctuations in the frequency oscillating the quartz crystal on the AMC-IP or ICX-500 board. The realtime clock can be synchronized in several ways.
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==NTP server==
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The ICX-AlphaCom can synchronize its real time clock with Network Time Protocol (NTP) time servers on the IP network. The synchronization is taking place once every hour. To activate the feature, define the IP address of a valid NTP server in the [[AlphaWeb#Time_and_Date|Time and Date settings]] in AlphaWeb.
  
If your AlphaCom is connected to the internet, you'll find a list of NTP servers here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/262680
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If the ICX-AlphaCom is connected to the internet, you'll find a list of NTP servers here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/262680
  
The NTP uses port 123 so this port must be opened on a firewall or router to ensure proper communication with the NTP server.
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[[Image:NTP1.png|thumb|400px|left|Synchronizing using a NTP server]]
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<br style="clear:both;" />
  
==Synchronizing using GPS network==
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The NTP uses port 123. This port must be opened on external firewall or router to ensure proper communication with the NTP server.
The AlphaCom can syncronize its real time clock with a Master Clock which receives its time from GPS (Global Positioning System) satelittes.
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{{Note|The NTP Server must use Stratum between 1 and 4. If stratum is 5 or higher, the NTPd in ICX-AlphaCom will switch to "Orphan Mode". See [http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Support/OrphanMode OrphanMode] for more details}}
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==ICX-AlphaCom as NTP Server==
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The ICX-AlphaCom can act as an NTP server, once it has been configured to connect to an NTP Server.  This allows for the ICX-AlphaCom to connect to an NTP Server on the Admin port, and provide NTP Services to the VoIP port.
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The onboard NTP Server is activated automatically when a valid NTP Server is configured.
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The NTP Port must be added to the Filters page and enabled for the interface required.
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Add a UDP port 123, and enable.
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[[File:Icx ntp server.png|left|thumb|665x665px]]
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<br style="clear:both;" />
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==Calibrate the Realtime Clock==
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If there is no NTP Server available at site where the ICX-AlphaCom server is to be installed, there is an option to temporarily connect the ICX-AlphaCom to a network with NTP Server during commissioning (e.g. in the workshop before shipping to end customer). [[AlphaWeb#Time_and_Date|Configure the AlphaCom]] to synchronize the time to this NTP server. Now the ICX-AlphaCom clock will be compared to the NTP time, and a "drift file" will be created that contains an offset value. One should leave the ICX-AlphaCom connected to the NTP network for at least 48 hours to get the best value in the drift file. When the ICX-AlphaCom is moved to a network without NTP Server, it will use this offset value to correct the real time clock in ICX-AlphaCom.
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To verify that the AlphaCom has calculated the drift, you can check the Time and Date settings page.
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[[File:NTP clock drift.png|none|thumb|526x526px]]
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<br />
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==GPS network==
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GPS (Global Positioning System) is a world-wide satellite system that operates a time scale and transmits information for synchronizing to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) with extreme high accuracy. The AlphaCom can syncronize its real time clock with a Master Clock which receives its time from GPS satelittes. The Master Clock 70000L has an embedded NTP server, to which the AlphaCom synchronizes.
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[[Image:NTP2.png|thumb|400px|left|Synchronizing using GPS network]]
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<br style="clear:both;" />
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==Radio signal==
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DCF 77 signals transmitted from Germany is the most frequently used signal in Europe. The signal is sent every minute and comprise minute, hour, year and date.
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In France the national TDF transmits signals for time synchronization and in Great Britain the MSF-Rugby sends similar signals for synchronization. RDS is a signal transmitted over the FM band in Scandinavia.
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Many other European countries have national signal system which includes time data and which can be used for time synchronization.
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==Close contact==
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If the AlphaCom gets a contact closure at a fixed time once a day, the contact can be connected to a [[RCI - Remote Contol Input|Remote Control Input RCI]], which can be configured to set the time using the [[SET SYSTEM TIME|$SST command]].
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[[File:RCI SET CLOCK.PNG|thumb|left|500px|When RCI 1 is activated, set the time to 04:30:00]]
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<br style="clear:both;" />
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==Via the ACDP protocol==
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The clock of the AlphaCom can be set from external equipment (PC, Management System etc.) communicating with the AlphaCom over the [[ACDP|ACDP protocol]].
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The message [[SET SYSTEM TIME]] ($SST) is used for this purpose.
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[[Category: ICX-AlphaCom features]]
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[[Category: AlphaCom features]]

Latest revision as of 13:07, 3 June 2022

AI.png

The realtime clock of the ICX-AlphaCom (as with any other computer device) is not accurate, and might drift over time. The clock will drift due to fluctuations in the frequency oscillating the quartz crystal on the AMC-IP or ICX-500 board. The realtime clock can be synchronized in several ways.

NTP server

The ICX-AlphaCom can synchronize its real time clock with Network Time Protocol (NTP) time servers on the IP network. The synchronization is taking place once every hour. To activate the feature, define the IP address of a valid NTP server in the Time and Date settings in AlphaWeb.

If the ICX-AlphaCom is connected to the internet, you'll find a list of NTP servers here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/262680

Synchronizing using a NTP server


The NTP uses port 123. This port must be opened on external firewall or router to ensure proper communication with the NTP server.

Note icon The NTP Server must use Stratum between 1 and 4. If stratum is 5 or higher, the NTPd in ICX-AlphaCom will switch to "Orphan Mode". See OrphanMode for more details


ICX-AlphaCom as NTP Server

The ICX-AlphaCom can act as an NTP server, once it has been configured to connect to an NTP Server. This allows for the ICX-AlphaCom to connect to an NTP Server on the Admin port, and provide NTP Services to the VoIP port.

The onboard NTP Server is activated automatically when a valid NTP Server is configured.

The NTP Port must be added to the Filters page and enabled for the interface required.

Add a UDP port 123, and enable.

Icx ntp server.png


Calibrate the Realtime Clock

If there is no NTP Server available at site where the ICX-AlphaCom server is to be installed, there is an option to temporarily connect the ICX-AlphaCom to a network with NTP Server during commissioning (e.g. in the workshop before shipping to end customer). Configure the AlphaCom to synchronize the time to this NTP server. Now the ICX-AlphaCom clock will be compared to the NTP time, and a "drift file" will be created that contains an offset value. One should leave the ICX-AlphaCom connected to the NTP network for at least 48 hours to get the best value in the drift file. When the ICX-AlphaCom is moved to a network without NTP Server, it will use this offset value to correct the real time clock in ICX-AlphaCom.

To verify that the AlphaCom has calculated the drift, you can check the Time and Date settings page.

NTP clock drift.png


GPS network

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a world-wide satellite system that operates a time scale and transmits information for synchronizing to UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) with extreme high accuracy. The AlphaCom can syncronize its real time clock with a Master Clock which receives its time from GPS satelittes. The Master Clock 70000L has an embedded NTP server, to which the AlphaCom synchronizes.

Synchronizing using GPS network


Radio signal

DCF 77 signals transmitted from Germany is the most frequently used signal in Europe. The signal is sent every minute and comprise minute, hour, year and date.

In France the national TDF transmits signals for time synchronization and in Great Britain the MSF-Rugby sends similar signals for synchronization. RDS is a signal transmitted over the FM band in Scandinavia.

Many other European countries have national signal system which includes time data and which can be used for time synchronization.

Close contact

If the AlphaCom gets a contact closure at a fixed time once a day, the contact can be connected to a Remote Control Input RCI, which can be configured to set the time using the $SST command.

When RCI 1 is activated, set the time to 04:30:00


Via the ACDP protocol

The clock of the AlphaCom can be set from external equipment (PC, Management System etc.) communicating with the AlphaCom over the ACDP protocol.

The message SET SYSTEM TIME ($SST) is used for this purpose.