IC99885: ERROR RESPONSE FROM NTP SERVER MIGHT CAUSE LARGE TIME ADJUSTMENTS

Fix packs for DataPower B2B Appliance version 6.0
Fix packs for DataPower Integration Appliance version 6.0
Fix packs for DataPower Service Gateway version 6.0
Fix packs for DataPower Service Gateway version 6.0.1
Fix packs for DataPower B2B Appliance version 6.0.1
Fix packs for DataPower Integration Appliance version 6.0.1

APAR status

• Closed as program error.

Error description

• DataPower time is adjusted incorrectly due to an error
  response sent from an NTP server.
  
  The following is an example of a log message showing a large
  time adjustment:
  
  "NTP time adjustment of 1309731860 microseconds"
  

Local fix

• Point the NTP service on DataPower to an alternate NTP server
  which sends correct responses.
  

Problem summary

• Affected are DataPower configurations using the NTP protocol to
  synchronize the clock.
  
  DataPower supports NTP protocol as of RFC-2030. If the NTP
  server sends an error response specified by a newer
  version of the protocol, (a.k.a. "Kiss of Death
  packet" - see RFC-4330 chapter 8), the appliance interprets
  the error message as a timestamp, possibly adjusting the clock
  to a bad value.  A warning message with a very high time
  adjustment value might be logged.
  
  
  
  Failover configurations with multiple NTP servers are affected
  as well.
  

Problem conclusion

• Fix is available in 5.0.0.14, 6.0.0.6 and 6.0.1.2.
  
  For a list of the latest fix packs available, please see:
  http://www-01.ibm.com/support/docview.wss?uid=swg21237631
  

Temporary fix

Comments

APAR Information

• APAR is sysrouted FROM one or more of the following:

• APAR is sysrouted TO one or more of the following:

Fix information

• Fixed component name

  DATAPOWER

• Fixed component ID

  DP1234567

Applicable component levels

• R500 PSN

     UP

• R600 PSN

     UP

• R601 PSN

     UP