Which steps would diagnose time skew between an NPM server and monitored devices?

Which steps would diagnose time skew between an NPM server and monitored devices?

• A. Verify time sources and ensure NTP service is running.
• B. Reboot devices at random times.
• C. Check NTP configuration on the NPM server, verify time sources, ensure NTP service is running, and confirm firewall allows NTP; compare time stamps in poll results.
• D. Disable NTP.

Answer: (B)

Diagnosing time skew between an NPM server and monitored devices requires confirming that time synchronization is functioning correctly across the network. Start by ensuring the NTP service is running on the NPM server and on the devices that should serve as time sources. Then review the NTP configuration on the NPM server to verify which time sources are configured and that those sources are reachable and reliable. Make sure firewall rules allow NTP traffic (UDP 123) between the NPM server and the monitored devices. Finally, compare timestamps in poll results to confirm the NPM server and the devices are aligned within an acceptable offset, and adjust configurations if needed. Rebooting devices at random times doesn’t diagnose or fix time skew and can cause unnecessary disruption, and disabling NTP would remove the mechanism that keeps clocks in sync.

Diagnosing time skew between an NPM server and monitored devices requires confirming that time synchronization is functioning correctly across the network. Start by ensuring the NTP service is running on the NPM server and on the devices that should serve as time sources. Then review the NTP configuration on the NPM server to verify which time sources are configured and that those sources are reachable and reliable. Make sure firewall rules allow NTP traffic (UDP 123) between the NPM server and the monitored devices. Finally, compare timestamps in poll results to confirm the NPM server and the devices are aligned within an acceptable offset, and adjust configurations if needed. Rebooting devices at random times doesn’t diagnose or fix time skew and can cause unnecessary disruption, and disabling NTP would remove the mechanism that keeps clocks in sync.