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IBM AIX: What are the most common reasons why xntpd does not start

Question & Answer


Question

The xntpd daemon does not start.

Cause

Configured NTP v3 on AIX.

Answer

Environment
 A basic /etc/ntp.conf file on AIX
server 10.1.1.5 prefer
server 10.1.1.6
driftfile /etc/ntp.drift
tracefile /etc/ntp.trace

Start xntpd
# startsrc -s xntpd
# lssrc -s xntpd
Inoperative

Why did xntpd not start?
1) The xntpd daemon can already be active but not running under srcmstr control. 
# ps -ef | grep xntpd
2) The AIX Software was updated but the server was not rebooted.
Check when the server was last rebooted.
# who -b
Compare these filesets to when they were last updated to the last time the server was rebooted.
# lslpp -hac bos.mp64
# lslpp -hac bos.net.tcp.client
AIX 7.2 fileset
# lslpp -hac bos.net.tcp.ntpd

3) The xntpd daemon started but terminated a few minutes later.
Remove the broadcastclient directive from the file. 
It is recommended to use the server directive.
Stop and restart xntpd. Wait approximately 6 - 10 minutes for xntpd to stabilize and sync to the NTP server.

4) The time differential between AIX client's clock and the NTP server's clock is 1000 seconds or greater.
Check the clock offset between the client and the server. The xntpd daemon can terminate when the clock differential is 1000 seconds or greater.
Run the ntpdate command to check the clock offset.
# ntpdate -d ntp_server1
# ntpdate -d ntp_server2
The offset is the last line of output. 

5) The xntpd permissions are incorrect.
Here are the correct permissions for NTP v3.
# ls -l /usr/sbin/xntpd
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root system 20 May 16 2019 /usr/sbin/xntpd -> /usr/sbin/ntp3/xntpd
# ls -l /usr/sbin/ntp3/xntpd
-r-xr-xr-- 1 root system 320208 Nov 5 2019 /usr/sbin/ntp3/xntpd
 
NOTE:
The time zone (TZ) is incorrect.
Use the date command to check the time and time zone. The xntpd daemon does not use the time zone but it could be incorrect and therefore can cause the incorrect time to be displayed.

SUPPORT:

If more assistance is required follow the step-by-step instructions to contact IBM to open a case for software under warranty or with an active and valid support contract.  

a.  Document and or take screenshots of all symptoms and error messages

b.  Capture any logs or data relevant to the situation.

c.  Contact IBM to open a case:

   -For electronic support, visit the IBM Support Community:
     https://www.ibm.com/mysupport
   -If you require telephone support, visit the web page:
      https://www.ibm.com/planetwide/

d.  Provide a good description of your issue and reference this technote

e.  Upload all of the details and data to your case

   -You can attach files to your case in the IBM Support Community
   -Or Upload data to IBM testcase server analysis:

    http://www.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=ibm10733581

f.  Click here to submit feedback for this document.

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Document Information

Modified date:
17 December 2021

UID

ibm16488653

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