[Bug 176844] Re: ntpdate fails to get a server from /etc/ntp.conf

[david6]

I may yet open a new bug, but in the meantime some comments ..

> ntpdate fails to get a server from /etc/ntp.conf

YES.

In my testing (Ubuntu 12.10, server, 64bit), ntpdate does NOT use the
NTP servers listed in /etc/ntp.conf. Therefore, not honouring the
setting: NTPDATE_USE_NTP_CONF=yes  in file: /etc/default/ntpdate

However, NTP and NTPDATE don't play well, and really only NTP needs to
work once the system is running (and 'nearly' synced). You also need to
stop/start NTP, before/after attempting to use NTPDATE:

    ntpq -np
    ntpq -c rl

    sudo service ntp stop
    ntpdate -q 1.au.pool.ntp.org
    sudo service ntp start

    ntpq -np
    ntpq -c rl


And (surprise) NTPDATE uses a completely different file (/etc/ntp/step-tickers) to list time servers, to get the initial reasonable time sync, to allow NTP to then keep in sync. 

Note: Ubuntu (even 12.10) does not have this file, or even the directory
(/etc/ntp/), but does appear to use it (if created).

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https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/176844

Title:
  ntpdate fails to get a server from /etc/ntp.conf

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