win_ntp module required to configure NTP

[Udayendu]

SUMMARY

Currently there is no ntp module to configure NTP client. Its good to have a win_ntp module that can take multiple NTP server IP/FQDN and configure in the windows system.

ISSUE TYPE

• Feature Idea

COMPONENT NAME

win_ntp

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Currently only win_timezone module is available related to timezone change. But its having no option to configure the NTP as well. Hence either enhance this module with ntp configuration or make a new module win_ntp for ntp configuration.

[Udayendu]

• I am using the following option to use the win_shell module to push the powershell commands which is working fine:

- name: NTP Client Configuration
  win_shell: |
        w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"{{ ntp_server_01 }}" /syncfromflags:MANUAL
        w32tm /config /manualpeerlist:"{{ ntp_server_02 }}" /syncfromflags:MANUAL
        Stop-Service w32time
        Start-Service w32time

• The new module allow atleast 2 NTP servers to add to the windows guest.

[mwtrigg]

Since there are so many additional settings besides just the name or address of an NTP server, I would imagine that if there were to be such a module, it would allow configuration of all pertinent NTP settings: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/windows-time-service/windows-time-service-tools-and-settings#reference-windows-time-service-registry-entries.

I currently achieve this will a role containing a dozen or so plays using win_regedit; this allows it to be idempotent and only restarts the service if there is a change to this (or any of the other) keys.

  - name: "[W32Time Parameters] Configure NTP Server Name"
    win_regedit:
      path: HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters
      name: 'NtpServer'
      data: 'ntp.domain.com,0x8'
      type: string
    notify: restart w32time service

[Udayendu]

Since there are so many additional settings besides just the name or address of an NTP server, I would imagine that if there were to be such a module, it would allow configuration of all pertinent NTP settings: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/networking/windows-time-service/windows-time-service-tools-and-settings#reference-windows-time-service-registry-entries.

I currently achieve this will a role containing a dozen or so plays using win_regedit; this allows it to be idempotent and only restarts the service if there is a change to this (or any of the other) keys.

  - name: "[W32Time Parameters] Configure NTP Server Name"
    win_regedit:
      path: HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\W32Time\Parameters
      name: 'NtpServer'
      data: 'ntp.domain.com,0x8'
      type: string
    notify: restart w32time service

If no specific NTP module then I will prefer to use the win_shell module where its simple to implement and can add multiple entries easily. Using minimal use of win_regedit is good.

[suyeb786]

Hello @Udayendu @mwtrigg,

@sakar97 and I have forked the branch and started working on it and posting this for your solicit feedback and comments and to make sure no one else is already working on it.

[Udayendu]

Hello @Udayendu @mwtrigg,

@sakar97 and I have forked the branch and started working on it and posting this for your solicit feedback and comments and to make sure no one else is already working on it.

I think that would ne nice. Once done, let me know.