Can't find an NTP setting to fix

[jshimota]

My lowly c7 time was off today. In the past I used to reboot my hub (every day) but that was back a while ago when I didn't trust it.
I went into settings expecting to find a field for NTP time server to poll for time and don't see it. My dhcp server provides time server values but it doesn't look as if HE picks it up.
Is this like the mDNS issue? a complex task? Anyone have an app or a tool to keep HE on time?
thank you.

[hydro311]

I would blame today's instance on DST, which never seems to go perfectly right. I know DST is Bruce's favorite thing to needle with

My hub time was right this morning, and I've always taken steps to ensure I don't have any jobs running in the DST-burble timeframe, but I still had a few wonky activations this morning.

I did a hub reboot, and fingers crossed that chased out the gremlins. Otherwise, I expect it'll sort itself out overnight tonight.

[ogiewon]

@jshimota

Anyone have an app or a tool to keep HE on time?

Hubitat automatically reaches out to NTP time servers on the internet. Do you have anything in your home network setup that might be blocking this access to the internet?

You can force the NTP server, if desired, using an endpoint. See the following:

Issues in 2.2.4 Latest

There is no DHCP setting for NTP, true, but we got these endpoints (since 2.2.4): /hub/advanced/scanForNtpServers - scans local network for NTP servers and shows the list. /hub/advanced/ntpServer - shows current NTP server /hub/advanced/ntpServer/<-value-> - sets NTP server In my limited experience, emails sent using SMTP from a home IP address are most likely to get rejected outright by the ISPs, anyway. There are too many malware/spambot networks out there. Even with reputed providers, …

[jshimota]

thanks. I just made the assumption that HE like my workstations, printers and cameras would pull the ntp from the dhcp call initial and take care of it. I thought there was some hidden ntp setting I wasn't aware of. I'm running a 2019 windows server domain, and the ntp is built in (after being config'd).
That thread was eye opening. NTP since 2020... wow.

I'll go write a rule to set set the endpoint but the comment :

I completely agree with.

EG:

I queried my hub - and it said 'Not set'.
I ran the endpoint to scan, and chose my ntp server. thanks for informing me of the need to manage it myself.
edit happy to report it survived a power down/restart once I set it.

[JasonJoel]

:shrug:

This is primarily a home consumer device, and typical home consumers don't have time servers, domains, or block outbound NTP. So this isn't an issue for 99.9% of their customer base.

That said, yes I also think the hub should respect all DHCP settings.

EDIT: I do have a lot of other devices that don't respect the NTP specified in DHCP. It isn't only Hubitat, for whatever that is worth. Some embedded linux OS, off-brand chinese devices, esphome devices, etc, etc.

When I used to actually care I would just have my firewall redirect all NTP traffic back to my local time server.

[JamesTX10]

I use this device driver for NTP:
https://raw.githubusercontent.com/danTapps/Hubitat/master/Drivers/NTP%20Client/NTP_client.groovy

[jason12]

Thanks. I'll give that a try - for info, also available through HPM

[dennypage]

@JasonJoel

This is primarily a home consumer device, and typical home consumers don't have time servers, domains, or block outbound NTP.

Speak for yourself

[jtp10181]

@jshimota

I'll go write a rule to set set the endpoint

You don't need a rule, you just run the endpoint from the browser once and it is set, it will not revert back to the default. Mine has been manually set for a long time now.

[JasonJoel]

I stand behind my statement.

Anyone that has those things is not an average consumer.

But who wants to be average anyway?

[dennypage]

Suddenly feeling philosophical about the average consumer, so I have to ask a question...

Do we feel there a consensus on whether the average consumer has a firewall?

[jtp10181]

@dennypage

whether the average consumer has a firewall?

Only what comes built into the router they are using, which the majority are going to be using the router provided by the ISP and do not even know how to configure it.

I do not have a separate dedicated firewall myself, why would I need one?

I do agree that the Hub should respect the NTP server pushed from DHCP though. Many consumer routers will have their own NTP server by default and may include that in the DHCP.

[dennypage]

@jtp10181

Only what comes built into the router they are using, which the majority are going to be using the router provided by the ISP and do not even know how to configure it.

I do not have a separate dedicated firewall myself, why would I need one?

Hmm... good question...

I work on a firewall distribution, so I am certainly biased. However I wouldn't ever be without a firewall, even for home use. I'll set aside all the feature aspects, and just hit two major points:

• The firewalls built into ISP's modem/routers are generally rudimentary, particularly their state management, and don't work as well as people expect.
• ISP's modems/routers are almost always completely open to the ISP itself. Do you trust your ISP with access to your network?