MikroTik Router Configuration VPN Server Setup

If you are an IT professional, then the chances are high that you have to work with network time protocol (NTP) server and client configuration quite frequently. However, setting up and configuring NTP on Mikrotik can often be a tedious and time-consuming process, especially for the uninitiated. But don’t worry, with the help of this guide, you will be able to easily configure NTP on your Mikrotik device.

Before we start, let’s first understand what NTP does. The network time protocol (NTP) is used to synchronize the clocks between computers and other network devices. It is essential for maintaining accurate time on a network. NTP allows all devices on a network to agree on a common time, which is important for several network functions, such as log file entries and security processes.

If you want to configure your Mikrotik device to act as an NTP client, then follow these steps:

Step 1: Setting up the NTP Client

The first step is to set up the NTP client on your Mikrotik device. This can be done using the following command:

/system ntp client set enabled=yes primary-ntp=0.pool.ntp.org secondary-ntp=1.pool.ntp.org

The above command enables the NTP client on the device and sets the primary and secondary NTP servers. You can change the NTP servers according to your preferences or requirements. Once you have entered the command, press enter to execute it.

Step 2: Adjusting the Timezone

The next step is to adjust the timezone on your Mikrotik device. This can be done using the following command:

/system clock set time-zone-name=Asia/Kolkata

This command sets the timezone for the device to Asia/Kolkata. You can change the timezone according to your location, or you can use the time-zone-manual-offset command to set the offset manually.

Step 3: Checking the NTP Status

Once you have configured the NTP client and adjusted the timezone, you can check the NTP status on your Mikrotik device using the following command:

/system ntp client print

This command will display the status of the NTP client on your device. You should see a result similar to the following:

enabled: yes
 mode: unicast
 primary-ntp: 0.pool.ntp.org
 secondary-ntp: 1.pool.ntp.org
 dynamic-servers: no
 poll-interval: 64
 server-dns-names: no
 status: reachable (<1ms)

If you see the status as “reachable”, then the NTP client on your Mikrotik device is working correctly. You can also check the time on your device using the following command:

/system clock print

This command will display the current time on your device.

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Step 4: Using NTP to Synchronize the Clocks on Your Network

Now that you have set up the NTP client on your Mikrotik device, you can use it to synchronize the clocks on your network. This can be done using the following command:

/system ntp client set enabled=yes

This command enables the NTP client on your device and allows it to synchronize the clocks on your network. You can also use the following command to check the NTP status:

/system ntp client print

You should see a result similar to the following:

enabled: yes
 mode: unicast
 primary-ntp: 0.pool.ntp.org
 secondary-ntp: 1.pool.ntp.org
 dynamic-servers: no
 poll-interval: 64
 server-dns-names: no
 status: synchronized
 time-offset: 0s
 time-left: 940s
 last-update-from: 0.pool.ntp.org
 last-internal-update: oct/30/2021 05:53:14
 last-internal-update-to: oct/30/2021 05:53:15

If you see the status as “synchronized”, then the NTP client on your Mikrotik device is successfully synchronizing the clocks on your network.

Conclusion

Configuring NTP on Mikrotik can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are not familiar with the process. However, with the help of this guide, you should be able to easily set up and configure NTP on your Mikrotik device. Remember, accurate time synchronization is essential for maintaining a stable and secure network. Therefore, take the time to configure NTP correctly on your Mikrotik device, and you will be rewarded with a reliable and efficient network.