How to change time on Mitel 3300 - Free NTP Servers

[ralph]

Because of the calls we've been getting, here's how to change your time.

Pre: ver 4.0 Log into the system, at the 1st screen click "Group Admin" 
1st option is to change time. 
Remember it's in 24 hour format.
Here's a link with screen shots:  How to change time on 3300

Ver 4.0 and later:
1) You can still change the time as listed above.
2) You should be using a time server.  If your time doesn't automatically change then chances are you're not.  Log into the administration tool, then System Properties, then System Settings, then Date and time.  You can set the time there or you can enable use of an NTP server.   For the server you can use pool.ntp.org.   Be sure to set your time zone.  It it can't find the NTP server you could have 1 of 2 issues:  (A) you DNS servers aren't set in the system IP properties or (B) your firewall is blocking external NTP access.  See your firewall admin.
3) From maintenance commands enter: writedatetime <year><month><day><dayofweek><hours><min><secs>

Ralph

[bobcheese]

hey ralph, we are looking at using adobe captivate to create a 'video pdf' of how to do this (and others) which we will issue to customers at the end of an install. This will include adding users in user config, backing up the system and, of course, changing the time.

[ralph]

Wow.  Any chance you'd mind sharing so we can publish it here?

Ralph

[martyn]

Just for reference, there are local ntp servers for each region, for example au.pool.ntp.org will give you a much closer time source in Australia, and reduce any difference between the actual time source and the 3300.

By using the ntp pool servers you are assured that you will always get a response, unlike if you just specify one particular server, which could drift, or become unavailable from time to time.

[ralph]

Thanks martyn,
Anyone use any other pools?

Ralph

[bobcheese]

Hi Ralph, sure. They are not complete yet but when we get round to completing then I will post a link

[martyn]

Thanks martyn,
Anyone use any other pools?

Ralph

You can browse for your continent/zone, and then down to a more local country address from here, so for example if I select oceana, then I can see the stats on the au pool from there, as well as the FQDN address to reference it with.

[ralph]

That's great info.   Makes it worth making this a 'sticky' topic.

Ralph

[martyn]

Good idea!

NTP is now more important, not just for people to be able to look at the time on their phone, but also if you have all of your SDS shared systems running various times then it can lead to problems when concurrent changes are made, and your database ends up a mess. I've seen the end result of it going bad from differing times. 

It is also a good practice to block NTP access to everything except for one device on your network (voice and data), let that sync to a pool server or GPS clock, etc, and then point everything on your network to that one device.
A good practice is to make this internal " ntp server" your main router/gateway for the network, as generally everything can talk to that.

Slightly OT, but you should also ensure your Active Directory domain controller and PC's are sync'd up as well to a time source, as having that stray off by too much can stop computers from being able to log on. 

[SteveMac]

On a 3300 with a software version before 4.0, is there a way to set up a pool time server? What would it take to migrate to version 4.0?

[ralph]

No way to add a NTP server to a pre-version 4.0
Depends on the platform you're running what it would take to upgrade.
In general, your ram has to be 512meg. and you have to have active software assurance.
You're dealer will have to help you with that.

Ralph

[bobcheese]

Right, got round to doing the first one so here is the Date & Time PDF. Its not a 'polished' as i'd like it so may do a revised version yet.

[ralph]

That's perfect!   
Thank you!

Ralph

[boycey9]

Heres a snippet for you, If you have an ISS or Mxe server and the time is changed from the MSL you need to issue the BWM STATISTICS RESET command in the MCD to update the time.

[ralph]

I'm updating this post to let everyone know I just put a "How To" document online.
You can view it here:  Change time on Mitel 3300

Let me know if you think I should add/fix something on it.

Ralph