NTP Server Profile

An NTP (Network Time Protocol) server is a critical component in the infrastructure of modern networks, ensuring that all devices have synchronized time. This synchronization is vital for security, logging, and system management. To utilize an NTP server profile, an NTP Server List alias must be created. Aliases will only be transmitted to the gateway if referenced within an NTP server profile.

Creating an NTP Server Profile

To create an NTP Server profile, complete the following steps:

1. In the HPE Aruba Networking Central landing page, click the configurationicon.
   The Profiles tab is displayed.

2. In the left navigation menu, select one of the following options:

   • Library—This is the default selection. If you create profiles in the Library, then you must assign scope and device functions to the profiles. For more information, see Assigning Scope to an NTP Server Profile.

   • Global—If you create profiles at the Global level, then the profiles have Global scope assigned by default.

   • Site Collections—If you create profiles at the Site Collections level, then the profiles have site collection scope assigned by default.

   • Sites—If you create profiles at the Site level, then the profiles have site scope assigned by default.

   • Devices—If you create profiles at the Device level, then the profiles have device scope assigned by default.

   • Device Groups—If you create profiles at the Device Group level, then the profiles have device group scope assigned by default.

   Note:

   • To create profiles at the Global level, select the device type from the Device Function drop-down list before step 4.
   • To create profiles at the Sites, Site Collections, Devices, and Device Group level, complete the following steps before step 4:
     1. Select Site Collection, Site, Device, or Device Group in the left navigation menu.
     2. Select a Site Collection, Site, Device, or Device Group from the list view depending on the level where you are creating the profile.
     3. Select the device type from the Device Function drop-down list.

3. On the System card, click the second radio button, and then click NTP Server.
   Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

   1. On the System card, click Manage.

   2. On the NTP Server card, click Manage.

   The NTP Server list view is displayed.

4. Click Create Profile.

   The Create Profile side panel is displayed.

5. Enter the following NTP Server profile parameters:

   • Create as a local profile—Select this option if you want to configure this profile as local.

     Note:

     The Create as a local profile option is available at the Global, Site Collections, Sites, Devices, and Device Groups levels; it is not available at the Library level.

   • Name—Enter the name of the NTP Server profile.

   • Description—Enter the description for the NTP Server profile.

   • NTP Alias—c

     • Alias—Select an alias from the Alias drop-down menu.

6. Click the Add icon on the NTP Server table.

   The Add NTP Server pane is displayed.

7. Enter NTP Server parameters:

   • Server Address—Select IPv4, IPv6, or FQDN.

     • IPv4—If you select IPv4, then enter the IPv4 address.

     • IPv6—If you select IPv6, then enter the IPv6 address.

     • FQDN—If you select FQDN, then enter domain name.

   • Burst Mode—Select the optional iBurst Mode to further hasten the synchronization.

8. Check the Enable NTP Authentication box to configure NTP Authentication. This setting is only applicable to Gateway devices and AOS-CX Switches.

9. VRF—This option is enabled when you select the Switch Parameters check box. Select the VRF profile from the drop-down list.

10. Click Add.

11. Click the Add icon on the Authentication Profile table. The Add Authentication Profile pane is displayed.

12. Enter the Authentication Profile parameters:

    • Key ID —Enter the Key ID of the Authentication Profile.

    • Algorithm—Select the algorithm of the Authentication Profile.

    • Key Value—Enter the Key Value of the Authentication Profile.

13. Check the Switch Specific Parameters box to add one of the following VRF parameters:

    1. default

    2. mgmt

14. Click Create to create the NTP server profile.

15. To edit a profile, complete the following steps:

    1. Click anywhere on the row of the profile in the list view.

       The profile edit view is displayed in the side panel.

    2. Edit the required parameters.

    3. Click Update.

16. To delete an NTP Server profile, hover on the profile name, and click the delete icon.

17. To search for a profile, type the profile name in the search bar.
    The search bar displays dynamic results as soon as you start typing.

The following image displays the Create Profile side panel of an NTP Server profile:

Figure 1: Create NTP Server Profile

The following image displays the Create Profile side panel of an Authentication profile:

Figure 2: Create Authentication Profile

Assigning Scope to an NTP Server Profile

For profiles created under Library, you must assign a scope and device function to be able to use its features and functionality.

To assign scope to a profile, complete the following steps:

1. In the HPE Aruba Networking Central landing page, click the configurationicon.
   The Profiles tab is displayed.

2. Ensure that the default option Library is selected in the left navigation menu.

3. On the System card, click the second radio button, and then click NTP Server.
   Alternatively, you can complete the following steps:

   1. On the System card, click Manage.

   2. On the NTP Server card, click Manage.
      

   The NTP Server list view is displayed.

4. On the NTP Server card, click Manage.

   The NTP Server list view is displayed.

5. Hover on the profile to which you want to assign a scope and click the ellipsis icon.

6. Select Assign.

   The Assign Profile side panel is displayed.

7. Select the device types from Device Function list.

8. To add a scope, click the Add icon on the Scopes table.

9. Select a scope from the following Scope Level options in the drop-down list.

   • Global—Selecting this option assigns the scope at the Global level.

   • Site Collections—Select the site collections from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Sites—Select the sites from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Devices—Select the devices from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

   • Device Groups—Select the device groups from the Assign to Scope drop-down list.

10. Click Add.

    The Scopes table displays the newly added scopes.

11. Click Assign.

    The NTP Server list displays the device functions and number of scopes assigned to the profile.

12. To unassign a scope from a profile, complete the following steps:

    1. Hover on the profile name and click the ellipsis icon.

    2. Select Unassign.

       The Unassign pop-up window is displayed.

    3. Select the required scope and click Unassign.

13. To customize the NTP Server profile list, click the Customize Columns icon . For more information, see Customizing List.