How to get debug messages with ntpd

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Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 3
SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 Service Pack 4
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 11 Service Pack 1

Situation

NTP is showing some issues like jittering, wrong time or unexpected exits.

Resolution

In the event of issues with ntpd according to the manual page there is a -d option. Although this could be added as a start option for the init script by editing /etc/sysconfig/ntp this is not a good solution since the additional messages get logged to standard out.

Instead edit /etc/ntp.conf and comment out one of these two options:

# logconfig =syncstatus + sysevents
# logconfig =all

The first will log more messages regarding syncstatus and system events. The second option would log all kinds of informational and debugging messages to /var/log/ntp.

Be aware that this could fill up the log file very quick. Check regularly how much is logged if you let it run with these options for a longer time.

Don't forget to comment the changed line again if it is not needed anymore later.

Disclaimer

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