System Time Configuration on the 200/300 Series Managed Switches

Objective

System time configuration is of great importance in a network. There are two main reasons for it. First, a synchronized network, that is, a network where all its devices have the same time, reduces confusion when files are shared through the network, in the case when files are modified and a new time for that modification is established. Second, in the case of a security breach, or to troubleshoot a network problem, log files are important to see the activity the network had, With an accurate system time, the information on the log files are more accurate and can help better in the solution of a problem. This article explain how to configure the system time on the 200/300 Series Managed Switches.

Applicable Devices

• SF/SG 200 and SF/SG 300 Series Managed Switches

Software Version

• 1.3.0.62

System Time Configuration

Step 1. Log in to the web configuration utility and choose Administration > Time Settings > System Time.The System Time page opens:

Step 2. Under Clock Source Settings, check the Main Clock Source (SNTP Servers) check box so that an SNTP server provides the time. IF you choose this option, then you must setup the SNTP. Refer to the article Add a SNTP Server on 200 and 300 Series Managed Switches for more information.

Step 3. (Optional) To use an alternate clock source, check the Alternate Clock Source (PC via active HTTP/HTTPS session) check box so that the computer that is attached to the switch configures the time via HTTP.

Step 4. If no SNTP server is configure, then you have to configure the time manually. Under Manual Settings, in the Date field, enter the date in the form of YYYY-MMM-DD. For example, 2012-oct-29.

Step 5. In the Local Time field, enter the actual time of your location in the form HH:MM:SS. For example 12:20:38.

Step 6. Under Time Zone Settings, in the Get time zone from DHCP, check the Enable check box so that a DHCP server provides the time zones. If you do this, you must make sure IP addressing is set to dynamic on the switch. Refer to the article DHCP Configuration on 200/300 Series Managed Switches for more information.

Step 7. If no DHCP server is enabled, in the Manual Time Zone Offset drop-down list, choose the appropriate time zone.

Step 7. (Optional) Under Daylight Savings Settings, in the Daylight Savings field, check the Enable check box to enable daylight saving time.

Step 8. If Daylight Savings is enabled, in the Time Set Offset field, enter the time in minutes of the offset. The time offset is the added/subtracted time applied to the current time when daylight saving occurs.

Step 9. If Daylight Savings is enabled, in the Daylight Savings Type field, click one of the following:

• USA — Daylight saving time is set according to the USA specifications.
• European — Daylight saving time is set according to European specifications.
• By Dates — If your country us not USA of any of the European countries, then you can set daylight savings time by dates. Enter the following information:

- From: Enter the date in the form of of YYY-MMM-DD and the time in the form of HH:MM when the daylight savings time starts, in their respective fields.

- To: Enter the date in the form of of YYY-MMM-DD and the time in the form of HH:MM when the daylight savings time ends, in their respective fields.

• Recurring — If daylight savings time occur at the same dates every year. Enter the following information:

- From: Choose the respective day, week, and month in their respective Day, Week, Month drop-down lists. Then in the Time field, enter the time in the form of HH:MM. This is the date and exact time when daylight savings time begin each year

- To: Choose the respective day, week, and month in their respective Day, Week, Month drop-down lists. Then in the Time field, enter the time in the form of HH:MM. This is the date and exact time when daylight savings time end each year.

Step 10. Click Apply to save your settings.