Logging in ClockWatch

Logs provide a detailed, permanent record of ClockWatch activity. 
The logging options include:

• Action Log
• Clock Setting Log
• Client Log
• Trace Log
• Event Log
• Syslog
• SNMP traps
• Using the logs

Action Log

Columns:

Date: Identifying source icon and date and time in yy-mm-dd hh:nn:ss format.

Source: Internet time setting, ClockCard setting, BIOS clock setting , GPS time setting (Star Sync), WWVB time setting (Radio Sync), client time requests (Client/Server) and unauthorized clock changing attempts (Sentry, Server, Client), are all included in the Action log.

Status: – result of the action.

Time Difference (seconds): – if clock was changed shows the number of seconds time setting. For clock locking shows the attempted time change.

Accuracy (sec/day): – for clock setting, shows the accuracy in terms of seconds/day.

Tip: You can resort by any column by clicking the column header.

Clock Setting Log

The Clock Setting log provides a record of all the settings made on the system. If logging is enabled, a record is written every time server is contacted. The Clock Setting log provides a  record that can be useful in a variety of ways:

• As a record of system clock performance.
• As a long-term indicator of system clock "drift" over time.
• As a source of information on availability of Internet access.
• As an input to other programs, such as spreadsheet or database programs where further analysis would be done.

Sample Clock Setting Log:

Synchronization Log 11/10/06 2:00:46 PM

Date     Time       Difference Accuracy Status Server
-----    ----       ---------- -------- ------ ------
06-11-10 14:00:45     -36        -36.0     0  time-a.nist.gov
06-12-03 23:59:40     -9         -0.4      0   time-a.nist.gov
06-12-07 10:58:55      3          0.1      0   time-a.nist.gov
06-12-14 07:00:45     -2         -0.3      0   time-b.nist.gov
06-12-22 09:58:02      0          0.0      5   time-a.nist.gov

Client Logs (ClockWatch Server, ServerMP, Star Sync, Cell Sync)

ClockWatch Server records all ClockWatch Client requests for time synchronization in the Client Log.  There are two client logs available: the Detail Log and the Summary Log.

Client Detail Log

Client Log 11/16/2006 2:24:20 PM
Date      Time    Lcl Client Time Difference Client
-------- -------- --- ----------- ---------- ----------
06-11-16 20:24:20 UTC 20:24:25        5      192.168.0.101
06-11-16 20:51:13 UTC 20:51:16        3      192.168.0.102
06-11-16 21:01:24 UTC 21:01:27        0      192.168.0.102
06-11-16 21:11:24 UTC 21:11:29        0      192.168.0.101

The Client Detail Log shows the individual time requests from clients. The log shows every time a client asks the server for the time. the log shows the date of the request (Y-M-D), the time of the request, the time zone used (UTC is GMT), the time on the client (if available), the difference in seconds between the client and the server, and the IP address of the client making the request.

Client Summary Log:

Client Access Log for beagleNT
Report Run 12/23/06 4:05:31 PM

Client IP      Times     Last
Number Address Contacted Contact

1   190.30.20.2   2      12/23/06 3:18:50 PM
2   190.30.20.4   3      12/23/06 3:56:11 PM
3   190.30.20.5   1      12/23/06 3:06:07 PM

3   <-TOTALS->    6      12/23/06 3:56:11 PM

The Client Summary Log reports a head count on all users (clients) accessing the ClockWatch Server, reporting  their IP address, number of accesses, and the last  time each of the clients accessed the ClockWatch server. Totals are also shown since the ClockWatch Server was last started. The Client Log file is available in the main ClockWatch program directory, under the name ClientLog.txt.

Trace Log

ClockWatch includes a detailed trace mode that provides detailed information about connection and communication information.  This feature may be useful in debugging communication problems. You can run ClockWatch in the trace mode, which provides a detailed log to pinpoint problems, by simply adding the debug option to the command line when starting ClockWatch. Following these steps will allow your to run ClockWatch in the trace mode and  view the resulting trace log file, DebugFile.txt.

1. Run ClockWatch in diagnostic mode by running ClockWatch with the debug option. Usually:
      "C:\Program Files\Beagle Software\ClockWatch\ClockWatch.exe" debug.
2. Run the problem until the connection fails or problem occurs. Exit ClockWatch.
   
3. View the diagnostic trace, DebugFile.txt, usually in the main ClockWatch directory:
       C:\Program Files\Beagle Software\ClockWatch\DebugFile.txt
   
4. Check for “ERRORS” or connection problems in the trace.
   
5. ClockWatch support personnel can provide detailed analysis of the trace.

Sample Trace Log:

...
02-19 08:31:54 ID: 1 Number: 1 Local Time: 2/18/06 8:31:54 AM Status: 0
02-19 08:31:54 Time Difference: 1 sec, Accuracy: 60.0 sec/day,
02-19 08:31:54 Connecting...
02-19 08:32:00 Connection open
02-19 08:32:01 DataArrived: 50863 06-02-19 14:32:02 00 0 0 50.0 UTC(NIST) *
02-19 08:32:01 Daylight savings time is currently 1 (1 is OFF, 2 is ON)
02-19 08:32:01 Time zone Bias: 360
02-19 08:32:01 DATA ARRIVED Event
02-19 08:32:01 DateTime OK
02-19 08:32:01 System SAYS DST is OFF
02-19 08:32:01 Corrected NIST Time: 02/19/06 08:32:02
02-19 08:32:01 Internal System settings: Local Date: 06-02-19 Time: 08:32:01
02-19 08:32:01 3: Dates OK
02-19 08:32:01 Difference is < 2 seconds, ignore accuracy
02-19 08:32:01 Time Difference: 0.000012 days (1.0 seconds)
02-19 08:32:01 5: Timediff < minimum
02-19 08:32:01 Time difference is 1 sec - setting to 0
02-19 08:32:01 ...No Time difference No time set
02-19 08:32:01 DATA ARRIVED DONE
02-19 08:32:01 NIST SETTING DONE at 2/19/06 8:32:01 AM.

Syslog (ClockWatch Client/Server)

ClockWatch Server and ClockWatch Enterprise can send events to a remote syslog server. Syslog servers, common in UNIX and Linux networks, gather messages from a variety of sources such as routers, switches, and any other syslog enabled application or device.  The syslog server filters, stores, displays and forwards messages gathered locally and from the network.

Usage Notes:

• Remote syslog logging must be enabled on the receiving computer. This allows the Syslog server to receive messages from the network using an Internet domain socket with the syslogd daemon in UNIX/Linux.

• Syslog uses UDP port 514 for communication. This port must be open on both the sending and receiving computers.

• ClockWatch sends messages at either the information, warning or error level priorities. Messages are sent to the NTP subsystem of Syslog.

SNMP (ClockWatch Client/Server)

ClockWatch can send trap events to a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) manager such as HP’s OpenLook or IBM’s NetView. SNMP managers, common in some larger  networks, poll and receive messages (traps) from a variety of sources such as routers, switches, and any other SNMP enabled application or device.

Agent tab – specify the SNMP agent settings.

Agent: Enter the name or IP address of the management system that will receive notification message from the SNMP agent acting on behalf of the specified community name. The selected SNMP management system is sent all the messages generated by ClockWatch.

Community: Enter the  community name shared by the SNMP management system you are using as trap destination. A community mane acts as password that is shared by one or more SNMP hosts. The agent can only send trap messages to hosts with a known community name.

OID: Enter object identifier (.1.3.6.1….) to identify ClockWatch to the network management subsystem. Use a OID value known by the management system. All messages sent from ClockWatch will be sent with this OID.

Usage Notes:

·         The Windows SNMP service must be installed and running for ClockWatch to send traps.

Using the Logs               

The logs provide a record of all the time settings and significant events in ClockWatch.
This information can be useful in a variety of ways:

Action Log
shows chronological summary of time sync events

• Shows time sync attempts, clock change attempts (Sentry), client time requests (Server) and external time base activity (Star Sync, Cell Sync, Radio Sync, Clock Card)

Clock Setting Log
Shows time setting attempts with external Internet time source

• To store previous setting attempts for use by the Previous Settings Graph.

• As a record of system performance

• As a long term indicator of System Clock Drift over time

• As a source of information on when Internet access is available.

• As an input to other programs such as a spreadsheet or database programs where further analysis would be done.

GPS / ClockCard / WWV / CDMA Setting Logs
Shows time setting activity with locally connected  time source

• Shows that external time source is running and available

• Shows time changes in O/S from external source

• Indicates times when external source is unavailable due to weather or broadcast conditions.

Event Log
Shows detailed system activity

• Detailed action on functioning of Program

• Date or Time Setting attempts when clock is locked

Client Log
Shows client activity since ClockWatch was started

• Verifies clients are contacting server

• Verifies network is up and ready

Notification Options in ClockWatch

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