What is free running system clock?
What is free running system clock?
If the Windows Time service is unable to contact the configured NTP server, this may return “Local CMOS Clock” or “Free-Running System Clock”. Otherwise, it will return the NTP server or the DC that the server is currently syncing with.
How do I know if NTP is running on ESXi host?
Verify NTP Operation
- Ensure the SSH service is running on the ESXi host.
- Connect to the host using an SSH client such as putty.
- Log into the host using root credentials.
- Enter the following command “ntpq -p” and press enter.
How do I check my VM clock?

On Windows or Linux guests:
- Open the clock on the VM.
- From vCenter, open the ESX’s clock. Click on the ESX, and then go to Configuration tab. In the Time Configuration on the left frame, you will see “General: Date & Time”. Click Refresh to compare the ESX’s time with the VM’s clock.
How do I find my NTP server in VMware?
- Log in to the vCenter Server using the vSphere Client( H5 Client).
- Select Hosts and Clusters.
- Select an ESXi host.
- Navigate to the Configure tab.
- Under System, select Time Configuration.
- Click Edit.
- Select Use Network Time Protocol (Enable NTP client).
- Click Start NTP service.
How do I know if my domain controller is NTP?
Use the w32tm /query /configuration command to review the current configuration. A member server should show “Type: NT5DS”, which indicates it’s syncing from the domain hierarchy. The PDCe should show “Type: NTP” to indicate that it’s configured to use an NTP server.

How do I check my vCenter date and time?
Procedure
- In the vCenter Server Appliance Management Interface, click Time.
- Configure the system time zone settings. In the Time zone pane, click Edit.
- Configure the time synchronization settings. In the Time synchronization pane, click Edit.
How can you sync the ESXi time to an NTP server?
Procedure
- Start the vSphere Client, and connect to the ESXi host.
- On the Configuration tab, click Time Configuration.
- Click Properties, and click Options.
- Select NTP Settings.
- Click Add.
- In the Add NTP Server dialog box, enter the IP address or fully qualified domain name of the NTP server to synchronize with.
- Click OK.
How sync NTP with vCenter?
Configuring vCenter Server to use a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server (57146)
- Log in as root.
- Select Time.
- Navigate to Time Synchronization.
- Click Edit.
- Under Mode, select NTP.
- Type in the NTP server(s) on Time servers.
- Click SAVE.
What is NTP in VMware?
The NTP server must be an authoritative time server or at least synchronized with an authoritative time server. The NTP daemon on VMware virtual appliances provides synchronized time services. NTP is disabled by default, so you need to configure it manually.