Setting Time On Mikrotik

Setting Time On Mikrotik

Setting time (hour / day / month / year) on Mikrotik Router is absolutely necessary when you are implementing some rules based on time parameters, where the rule is configured to run at a certain time. For example scheduler.
Time discrepancy between Mikrotik Router with real circumstances, will result in the rule does not go according to needs. In addition, recording log on the Router is also information at the time the log was made, so it would be confusing readings if the information does not match the time the real situation.
The timing on Mikrotik Router can be performed on the System> Clock. By default time on Mikrotik Router shows the date Jan/02/1970 0:00:00 hours. Should be an adjustment time on the Router.

In RouterBoard, manual settings on the System> Clock will return to the default settings when the router reboots. RouterBoard hardware is not designed to be able to perform its storage time as a computer case.
Alternatively, can use the service NTP (Network Time Protocol) which allows the router to synchronize time to other devices on the network.
Mikrotik can function as an NTP server and NTP client or his second simultaneously.

Mikrotik As an NTP Client
On Mikrotik RouterOS package system already has features SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) client that can be used to enable the router as an NTP client. When lit, the Router will automatically synchronize the time on the NTP server that is designated so that the timing will remain updated.
There are many NTP servers on the Internet that can be used. Example: id.pool.ntp.org, ntp.nasa.gov, etc.. Use mode = unicast.

There are only two modes in the SNTP Client, broadcast and unicast. For another mode (Multicast and Manycast) can use the NTP Client install package ntp.npk.

Looks SNTP Client has been successfully synchronize. After successful sync, not necessarily when the Router is correct. Checks on the System> Clock. You will notice that the date was appropriate but the hour is not yet. Adjust to set the Time Zone Name.

Mikrotik As an NTP Server
NTP Server on Mikrotik functions not found in the default package RouterOS, so it must be installed manually ntp.npk package.
With NTP Server function we could have a server in our network so that other RouterBoard enough time searching for information on the local network, no need to use the bandwidth for public access to the NTP server on the internet.
NTP servers we can build on a hardware that can perform the storage time, ie the router.
We can determine the time dissemination methods, can use the Broadcast, Multicast or Manycast.
Here's an example of setting the NTP server to be heard on a network segment 192.168.30.0/24 IP Address.

Setting the NTP server using Broadcast deployment type, so that the NTP client must use the same mode in order to synchronize the time on the NTP server.