Knowledge Base

The VMware Knowledge Base provides support solutions, error messages and troubleshooting guides

Search the VMware Knowledge Base (KB)

View by Article ID

Time Synchronization in Guests Deployed from OVF Templates

Details

When you deploy an OVF 0.9 or 1.0 virtual machine onto an ESX/ESXi host or through VirtualCenter and vCenter Server, the VMware Tools time synchronization facility remains disabled after import. Time synchronization is advisable because it prevents clock skew between the host and its guest virtual machines. For more information, see Timekeeping in VMware Virtual Machines, http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vmware_timekeeping.pdf.

Solution

One solution, which requires administrator intervention, is to run the vSphere Client. Select the virtual machine you deployed from OVF and click Inventory > Virtual Machine > Edit Settings > Options > VMware Tools. In the Advanced section of the dialog box, checkmark Synchronize guest time with host and click OK.

Another solution is to run the following commands in the guest operating system, assuming the set-option operation is allowed (it is by default). This solution can be automated, but would override an administrator's conscious choice to disable time synchronization.

vmware-guestd --cmd 'vmx.set_option synctime 0 1'
vmware-guestd --cmd 'vmx.set_option synctime 1 1'

Request a Product Feature

To request a new product feature or to provide feedback on a VMware product, please visit the Request a Product Feature page.

Feedback

1 2 3 4 5

1 2 3 4 5

Actions

Bookmark Document

Did this article help you?
This article resolved my issue. This article did not resolve my issue. This article helped but additional information was required to resolve my issue.
What can we do to improve this information? (4000 or fewer characters)