router question

[Baz]

I have a netgear DG834PN router and in the log section you can set it to send the logs to an email. Every now and then I get in the logs some entries like this

Send out NTP request to time-g.netgear.com
Send out NTP request to time-h.netgear.com

sometimes up to 12 entries from the same day at different times. Do you know what it is. I can hazard a  guess at its checking the time or similar but would like to know for sure. Is it sending info etc. is it needed if not can you stop it doing this.

[Steve]

I have a netgear DG834PN router and in the log section you can set it to send the logs to an email. Every now and then I get in the logs some entries like this

Send out NTP request to time-g.netgear.com
Send out NTP request to time-h.netgear.com

sometimes up to 12 entries from the same day at different times. Do you know what it is. I can hazard a  guess at its checking the time or similar but would like to know for sure. Is it sending info etc. is it needed if not can you stop it doing this.

Yes Baz its checking the time by connecting to the netgear server. I have no idea how to turn it off as there is no menu option apart from using another NTP server. Looking at my logs (DG834N)obviously a different model I only see this  after a disconnection/ reconnection usually after lines containing LCP and CHAP. NTP request has not appeared in my log for some 40hours.

[Baz]

thanks Steve. will keep an eye on the time to see if its as you say after so many hours, hadnt noticed that before

[Rik]

It repeats if it can't establish a connection. I found that the Netgear ones were a bit flaky, so pointed it at a UK site instead.

[Baz]

what do you mean Rik, a uk site, how do you do that. And why does it need to check the time anyway, why not just use system clock when booted up 

[Rik]

It uses an NTP clock, Baz, because it's much more accurate. A system clock will lose or gain several seconds a day, I've seen those that go out by 30 seconds.

I can't remember which menu it's on now, but if you look through the setup pages, you'll find one dealing with time, time zone etc. IIRC, you can specify an NTP server there. I'm using ntp2.pipex.net, 158.43.192.66.

[Baz]

yep found that Rik at the moment its set for the default Greenwich Mean Time:Edinburgh, London one but there is a Use this NTP Server tick box

[Rik]

That's where you put the UK one in then, Baz.

[Simon]

I'm very surprised to learn that Pipex can actually tell the time, Rik. 

[Rik]

I was amazed, but it actually seems very reliable.

[Baz]

put in the address and waiting to see what happens

[Rik]

Remember to stick a stamp on it, Baz.