Time Sync of APC Smart with NMC2 with SICLOCK TC400

[stivanov_apc]

Hello.

I am trying to sync the time of UPS APC 750VA Smart (SMT750I) + NMC2 (AP9630) with Siemens SICLOCK TC400.

TC400 is NTP Server and all other devices on the network manage to sync their time and date with it. I followed the instructions for setting the time sync from AP9630 manual. I am setting primary NTP server to be IP Address of TC400, Secondary (0.0.0.0) and gateway (0.0.0.0) - because they are on the same network. I leave overwrite manual NTP Server with DHCP check box unchecked. I manage also to ping TC400 using terminal.

Problem is when I sync the time from NTP Server using webpage -> No reply from server -> Time sync is not made.

When I sync the time from terminal -> Success sync is written on the screen, but again -> Time sync is not made.

What is the problem? Firmware of NMC2 AP9630 is 6.5.0.

Can it be something with TC400 using NTP server according to RFC2030? Is this compatible with APC Smart SMT750I and NMC2 AP9630?

[stivanov_apc]

I tried with second APC UPS with the same NMC2. Results are still the same -> No time sync.

[stivanov_apc · Accepted solution]

Together with APC support and Wireshark we found that NMC2 is using the NTP Version 1 (RFC1059). SICLOCK TC400 is using SNTP Version 4 (RFC2030).

Info from the internet:

"NTP Version 4 Release Notes

This release of the NTP Version 4 (NTPv4) daemon for Unix, VMS and Windows incorporates new features and refinements to the NTP Version 3 (NTPv3) algorithms. However, it continues the tradition of retaining backwards compatibility with older versions, including NTPv3 and NTPv2, but not NTPv1. Support for NTPv1 has been discontinued because of certain security vulnerabilities. The NTPv4 version has been under development for quite a while and isn't finished yet. In fact, quite a number of NTPv4 features have already been retrofitted in the older NTPv3, although this version is not actively maintained by the NTPv4 developer corps."

Result is that SICLOCK TC400 is not compatible with NMC2.

Attached is Wireshark packet of NMC2 trying to get the time from SICLOCK TC400. SICLOCK TC400 does not reply to the request.