Orolia Spectracom VelaSync 1232 User manual

VelaSync
1232 MODEL
User Manual
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Spectracom Part No.: 1232-5000-0050
Revision: 4
Date: 2-Apr-2019
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spectracom.com

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© 2019 Orolia. All rights reserved.
The information in this document has been carefully reviewed and is believed to
be accurate and up-to-date. Orolia assumes no responsibility for any errors or
omissions that may be contained in this document, and makes no commitment
to keep current the information in this manual, or to notify any person or organ-
ization of updates. This User Manual is subject to change without notice. For
the most current version of this documentation, please see our web site at
spectracom.com.
Orolia reserves the right to make changes to the product described in this doc-
ument at any time and without notice. Any software that may be provided with
the product described in this document is furnished under a license agreement
or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accord-
ance with the terms of those agreements.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or any means electronic or mechanical, including pho-
tocopying and recording for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal
use without the written permission of Orolia.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
Orolia USA, Inc. dba Spectracom
• 1565 Jefferson Road, Suite 460, Rochester, NY 14623 USA
• 3, Avenue du Canada, 91974 Les Ulis Cedex, France

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The industry-leading Spectracom products you depend on are now brought to
you by Orolia, the global leader in Resilient Positioning, Navigation and Timing
Solutions.
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Do you have questions or comments regarding this User Manual?
è E-mail: [e-mail]
Warranty Information
For a copy of Orolia's Limited Warranty policy, see the Spectracom website:
http://www.orolia.com/support/spectracom/warranty-information.
VelaSync 1232 User Manual I

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II VelaSync 1232 User Manual

CONTENTS
VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS III
CHAPTER 1
Introduction & Overview 1
1.1 Product Overview 2
1.2 About this Manual 2
1.3 Designated Use of this Product 4
1.4 Technical Specifications 5
1.4.1 Hardware 5
1.4.1.1 Server 5
1.4.1.2 GPS/GNSS Receiver 5
1.4.1.3 Oscillator 6
1.4.2 I/O Connectors 6
1.4.2.1 Timing Connector 6
1.4.2.2 Communication Ports 9
1.4.3 Environmental Specifications 9
1.4.4 Size, Weight & Power 9
1.5 Front Panel Overview 10
1.5.1 Control Buttons 10
1.5.2 Control Panel LEDs 10
1.5.3 Hard Disk Drives 11
1.6 Rear Panel Overview 12
1.7 The VelaSync Web UI 13
1.7.1 The Web UI HOME Screen 13
1.7.2 The INTERFACES Menu 14
1.7.3 The Configuration MANAGEMENT Menu 15
1.7.4 The TOOLS Menu 15
1.8 YOUR SAFETY 17
1.8.1 SAFETY: Symbols Used 17
1.8.2 SAFETY Advisories 18
1.9 Regulatory Compliance 20

CHAPTER 2
Installation & Setup 23
2.1 Unpacking and Inventory 24
2.2 Selecting the Right Installation Location 24
2.3 Rack Mounting: SAFETY 25
2.4 Rack Installation 25
2.4.1 TELCO Rack Installation 28
2.5 Basic Connections Setup 29
2.5.1 Connecting the GPS Antenna 29
2.5.2 Connecting Power 29
2.5.3 Establishing a Network Connection 31
2.6 Accessing the WebUI 31
2.7 Configuring IP Address(es) 32
2.7.1 Changing the IP address using an Ethernet connection 32
2.7.2 Setting Up an IP Address via the Serial Port 33
2.7.3 Subnet Mask Values 35
2.8 Advanced Timing Connections 35
2.8.1 TSync I/O Signals 35
2.8.1.1 Timing Interface Adapter Cable 36
2.8.1.2 Basic Breakout Cable 37
2.8.1.3 Premium Breakout Cable 39
2.8.2 Status LEDs 42
2.9 Configuring Network Settings 43
2.9.1 General Network Settings 45
2.9.2 Network Ports 46
2.9.3 Network Services 48
2.9.4 Access Rules 48
2.9.5 IPMI Configuration 50
2.9.6 SSH 50
2.9.7 SNMP 57
2.9.7.1 SNMP V1/V2c 61
2.9.7.2 SNMP V3 63
2.9.7.3 SNMP Traps 65
2.9.8 VLAN Support 67
2.10 Configure NTP 68
IV VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.10.1 Checklist NTP Configuration 69
2.10.2 The NTP Setup Screen 69
2.10.3 Dis-/Enabling NTP 72
2.10.4 Viewing NTP Clients 72
2.10.5 Restoring the Default NTP Configuration 73
2.10.6 NTP Output Timescale 73
2.10.7 NTP Reference Configuration 75
2.10.8 NTP Servers and Peers 75
2.10.8.1 The NTP Servers and NTP Peers Panels 76
2.10.8.2 NTP Servers: Adding, Configuring, Removing 77
2.10.8.3 NTP Peers: Adding, Configuring, Removing 79
2.10.9 NTP Authentication 81
2.10.9.1 NTP: Symmetric Keys (MD5) 81
2.10.10 NTP Access Restrictions 84
2.10.11 Spectracom Technical Support for NTP 86
2.11 Configuring PTP 86
2.11.1 The PTP Screen 87
2.11.1.1 The PTP Settings Panel 87
2.11.1.2 The PTP Statistics Panel 90
2.11.2 Enabling/Disabling PTP 90
2.11.3 Configuration — General Steps 91
2.12 PRISMA Compliance Setup 91
CHAPTER 3
Managing Time 93
3.1 The Time Management Screen 94
3.2 System Time 95
3.2.1 System Time 96
3.2.1.1 Configuring the System Time 96
3.2.1.2 Timescales 97
3.2.1.3 Manually Setting the Time 99
3.2.1.4 Using Battery Backed Time on Startup 101
3.2.2 Timescale Offset(s) 103
3.2.2.1 Configuring a Timescale Offset 103
3.2.3 Leap Seconds 104
3.2.3.1 Reasons for a Leap Second Correction 104
VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS V

3.2.3.2 Leap Second Alert Notification 105
3.2.3.3 Leap Second Correction Sequence 105
3.2.3.4 Configuring a Leap Second 106
3.2.4 Local Clock(s), DST 107
3.2.4.1 Adding a Local Clock 107
3.2.4.2 DST Examples 109
3.2.4.3 DST and UTC, GMT 110
3.3 Managing References 110
3.3.1 Input Reference Priorities 110
3.3.1.1 Configuring Input Reference Priorities 112
3.3.1.2 The "Local System" Reference 115
3.3.1.3 The "User/User" Reference 116
3.3.1.4 Reference Priorities: EXAMPLES 118
3.3.2 Reference Qualification and Validation 121
3.3.2.1 Reference Monitoring: Phase 121
3.3.3 The GNSS Reference 122
3.3.3.1 Reviewing the GNSS Reference Status 123
3.3.3.2 Determining Your GNSS Receiver Model 128
3.3.3.3 Selecting a GNSS Receiver Mode 129
3.3.3.4 Setting GNSS Receiver Dynamics 132
3.3.3.5 Performing a GNSS Receiver Survey 133
3.3.3.6 GNSS Receiver Offset 134
3.3.3.7 Resetting the GNSS Receiver 135
3.3.3.8 Deleting the GNSS Receiver Position 136
3.3.3.9 Manually Setting the GNSS Position 138
3.3.3.10 GNSS Constellations 140
3.3.3.11 A-GPS 143
3.3.4 Holdover Mode 148
3.4 Managing the Oscillator 152
3.4.1 Configuring the Oscillator 153
3.4.1.1 Time Figure of Merit (TFOM) 155
3.4.2 Monitoring the Oscillator 156
3.4.3 Oscillator Logs 159
CHAPTER 4
System Administration 161
4.1 Issuing the HALT Command Before Removing Power 162
VI VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

4.2 Rebooting the System 163
4.3 Hardware Tasks 163
4.3.1 Replacing a Power Supply 163
4.3.2 Removing/Installing a Hard Disk Drive 164
4.4 Notifications 166
4.4.1 Configuring Notifications 167
4.4.2 Notification Event Types 169
4.4.2.1 Timing Tab: Events 169
4.4.2.2 GPS Tab: Events 169
4.4.2.3 System Tab: Events 170
4.4.3 Configuring GPS Notification Alarm Thresholds 170
4.4.4 Setting Up SNMP Notifications 172
4.4.5 Setting Up Email Notifications 172
4.5 Managing Users and Security 175
4.5.1 Managing User Accounts 175
4.5.1.1 Types of Accounts 175
4.5.1.2 About "user" Account Permissions 175
4.5.1.3 Rules for Usernames 177
4.5.1.4 Adding/Deleting/Changing User Accounts 177
4.5.2 Managing Passwords 180
4.5.2.1 Configuring Password Policies 180
4.5.2.2 The Administrator Password 181
4.5.2.3 Lost Password 182
4.5.3 Web UI Timeout 184
4.6 Miscellanous Typical Configuration Tasks 184
4.6.1 REST API Configuration 184
4.6.2 Creating a Login Banner 185
4.6.3 Show Clock 186
4.6.4 Synchronizing Network PCs 187
4.7 Quality Management 187
4.7.1 System Monitoring 187
4.7.1.1 Status Monitoring via the Web UI 187
4.7.1.2 Ethernet Monitoring 190
4.7.1.3 NTP Status Monitoring 191
4.7.1.4 Monitoring the Oscillator 192
4.7.2 Logs 195
VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS VII

4.7.2.1 Types of Logs 195
4.7.2.2 The Logs Screen 200
4.7.2.3 Displaying Individual Logs 200
4.7.2.4 Saving and Downloading Logs 201
4.7.2.5 Setting up a Remote Log Server 202
4.7.2.6 Clearing All Logs 204
4.8 Updates and Licenses 204
4.8.1 Software Updates 204
APPENDIX
Appendix 207
5.1 Troubleshooting 208
5.1.1 Minor and Major Alarms 208
5.1.2 Troubleshooting: System Configuration 209
5.1.2.1 System Troubleshooting: Browser Support 209
5.1.3 Troubleshooting – Unable to Open Web UI 209
5.1.4 Troubleshooting via Web UI Status Page 210
5.1.5 Troubleshooting GNSS Reception 212
5.1.6 Troubleshooting Hardware Issues 213
5.1.6.1 Power Supply Failure 213
5.1.7 Troubleshooting – Network PCs Cannot Sync 213
5.1.8 Troubleshooting Software Update 214
5.2 Command-Line Interface 215
5.2.1 Setting up a Terminal Emulator 215
5.2.2 CLICommands 216
5.3 IRIG Standards and Specifications 220
5.3.1 About the IRIG Output Resolution 220
5.3.2 IRIG Carrier Frequencies 221
5.3.3 IRIG B Output 225
5.3.4 IRIG E Output 228
5.3.5 IRIG Output Accuracy Specifications 233
5.4 Choosing a GNSS Antenna Location 233
5.5 Maintenance and Service 235
5.6 Product Registration 235
5.7 Links to External Information 236
VIII VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

5.8 Technical Support 237
5.8.1 Regional Contact 237
5.9 Return Shipments 237
5.10 License Notices 238
5.10.1 Chrony v3.0 238
5.10.2 OpenSSH 242
5.10.3 OpenSSL 245
5.11 List of Tables 250
5.12 List of Images 250
5.13 Document Revision History 251
INDEX
VelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS IX

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XVelaSync 1232 User Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual 1
CHAPTER 1
Introduction & Overview

The following topics are included in this Chapter:
1.1 Product Overview 2
1.2 About this Manual 2
1.3 Designated Use of this Product 4
1.4 Technical Specifications 5
1.5 Front Panel Overview 10
1.6 Rear Panel Overview 12
1.7 The VelaSync Web UI 13
1.8 YOUR SAFETY 17
1.9 Regulatory Compliance 20

1.1  Product Overview
VelaSync® 1232 High-Speed Time Server is an enterprise-class time serving appliance
designed for high-frequency trading and other network applications that require low laten-
cies.
VelaSync’s customized configuration, comprising state-of-the-art network synchronization
software, precision GNSS (GPS) timing technology, and reliable server hardware allows it
to provide high-performance time management over multiple network interfaces.
VelaSync 1232 (part number 1232-xxxx-xxxx) is the latest version of this unit. For
the user manual for an original VelaSync 1225 (part number 1225-xxxx-xxxx) see
the VelaSync User's Manual, archived on the Spectacom website.
Hardware
The customized Supermicro® server platform is a 1U server comprised of a standard
chassis and motherboard, as well as a GNSSreceiver plus oscillator (OCXO, or Rubidium),
two hard disks (RAID), two power supplies, and several time, frequency, and com-
munication ports.
Software
The pre-installed Spectracom time synchronization and management software allows to
distribute very accurate time throughout a network, supporting NTP and PTP protocols. In
day-to-day operation, the software allows system administrators to centrally monitor time
synchronization accuracy throughout the network in an efficient manner.
Figure 1-1: VelaSync High Speed Time Server
1.2  About this Manual
This User Manual for the VelaSync High-Speed Enterprise Time Server provides you with:
descriptions of features and functions, as well as
installation and configuration guidance
instructions for specific tasks related to using this product
safety-related information
2CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4
1.1 Product Overview

technical specifications
other reference information.
The main objectives of this User Manual are:
a. to assist you with the installation and configuration of this product in a safe and effi-
cient manner
b. to help you familiarize yourself with VelaSync’s user interfaces, features and func-
tionality.
This User Manual is written for a professional audience, targeting experienced system
integrators and PC technicians.
Other relevant documentation
Note: VelaSync 1232, is the latest version of this unit. For the user manual
for an original VelaSync 1225, see the VelaSync User's Manual, part num-
ber 1225-5000-0050, archived on the Spectacom website.
This Spectracom User Manual is complemented by the Spectracom VelaSync Quick Refer-
ence Guide (PN: 1232-5000-0051), a printed copy of which is shipped with the unit, and
the user documentation for the Supermicro™ SuperO® SuperServer 5018R-WR, which
can be found under:
https://www.supermicro.com/manuals/superserver/1U/MNL-1771.pdf
Manual Organization
This User Manual is organized as follows:
CHAPTER 1: Introduction and Overview
This chapter describes the main features of VelaSync, its hardware operating elements,
and status indicators. Furthermore, the introductory chapter also includes VelaSync's tech-
nical specifications, and regulatory information.
CHAPTER 2: Installation
This chapter describes the preparatory measures, as well as the actual steps necessary to
install VelaSync in a server rack. Also included are SAFETY notes, and typical configuration
steps required prior to, or after initial powering on the system.
CHAPTER 3: Managing Time
The software running on VelaSync not only serves time during normal operation, but also
represents the main user interface for configuring and monitoring VelaSync. CHAPTER3
1.2 About this Manual
CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4 3

guides you through the web user interface, WebUI, explaining its features and functions.
CHAPTER 4: System Administration
Frequently executed tasks are described in CHAPTER4, broken down into the categories,
including, "Hardware Tasks" on page163, "Notifications" on page166, and "Managing
Users and Security" on page175.
APPENDIX
The document appendix includes "Troubleshooting" on page208 , as well as admin-
istrative information, how to contact Spectracom Support, and license notices.
1.3  Designated Use of this Product
This product has been designed and built in accordance with state-of-the-art standards
and the recognized safety rules. Nevertheless, its use may constitute a risk to the operator
or installation/maintenance personnel if used under conditions that must be deemed
unsafe, or for purposes other than the product's designated use.
The VelaSync High-Speed Enterprise Time Server is intended for use in restricted access
areas. A restricted access area can be accessed only through the use of a special tool, lock
and key, or other means of security.
Installation and maintenance of this device should be performed by experienced tech-
nicians only.
For additional information on how and where to use this product, see also "Selecting the
Right Installation Location" on page24 and "YOUR SAFETY" on page17.
4CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4
1.3 Designated Use of this Product

1.4  Technical Specifications
1.4.1  Hardware
1.4.1.1  Server
Supermicro SuperServer 5018R- WR rackmount server with 1U chassis and
X10SRW-F motherboard:
Four 8cm counter-rotating PWM fans
One passive CPU heatsink
Two riser cards
Four hot-swap 3.5" drive bays (SATA)
Intel 1.8 GHz Quad-Core Xeon Processor
8 GB RAM
Two Western Digital Re 1 TB Enterprise-Class Hard Drives in RAID Mirroring con-
figuration
Two redundant, hot-swap power supplies, 100-240 VAC auto-switch, 50-60 Hz,
500W each, with IEC60320 C14 inlet coupler
Connectivity:
I/O connectors: See "Rear Panel Overview" on page12.
1.4.1.2  GPS/GNSS Receiver
Connector: SMA, +5V to power active antenna (SMA-to-Type-N-adapter cable
included)
Frequency: GNSS L1 (1575.42 MHz)
Satellite tracking: 1 to 50, T-RAIM satellite error management
Synchronization time:
Cold start < 15 minutes (includes almanac download)
Warm start < 5 minutes (assumes current almanac downloaded)
GNSS Antenna system: See antenna installation guide (antenna sold separately)
1.4 Technical Specifications
CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4 5

1.4.1.3  Oscillator
Table 1-1: Oscillator accuracies
 OCXO Rb
Accuracy to UTC (1 sigma locked to
GPS)
50 ns 25 ns
Holdover Accuracy (loss of GPS signal after 2 weeks locked, constant temperature)
After 4 hours 1μs 0.2 μs
After 24 hours 25 μs 1μs
Notes:
• Accuracy to UTC is measured by comparing the internal 1PPS with the GPS ontime point.
• When ordering a VelaSync unit, either an OCXO or Rubidium oscillator must be specified.
• The specifications are subject to a steady environment temperature.
1.4.2  I/O Connectors
1.4.2.1  Timing Connector
The pre-installed TSync-model 25-pin Micro D-Sub Connector, when combined with the
adaptor cable and breakout cable (both included), provides the following I/O options:
Inputs:
1 PPS Input
1 Hz pulse, rising edge or falling edge active (selectable); 100 ns minimum
pulse width
Amplitude: 0V to +5.5V input range, +0.8VVIL, +2.0VVIH
Input impedance: <150 pF capacitive
IRIG AM Input
Accepts IRIG formats A, B, G; NASA36; IEEE 1344
Amplitude: 500mVp-p to 10Vp-p
Modulation ratio: 2:1minimum, 6:1maximum
Input impedance: 10 kΩ minimum
DC Common Mode Voltage: ±150VDC maximum
Input Stability: Better than 100 ppm
6CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4
1.4 Technical Specifications

IRIG DCLS Input
Accepts IRIG formats A, B, G; NASA36; IEEE 1344 pulse width codes (does
not accept Manchester modulated codes)
RS-485 differential input: –7V to +12V common mode voltage input range,
200mVp-p differential voltage threshold
Single-ended input:
+1.3V VIL min, +2V VIH max
+1.45V VIL typ, +1.85V VIH typ
GPIO Inputs
Amplitude: 0V to +5.5V input range, +0.8VVIL, +2.0VVIH
Polarity (selectable): Positive or negative
Input impedance: <150pF capacitive
50ns active pulse width minimum; 50ns minimum between pulses
Repetition rate. More than 10,000 events per second
Resolution: 5 ns
Outputs
1 PPS Outputs
1Hz pulse, rising edge or falling edge active (selectable)
40 ns to 900 ms active pulse width (selectable, 200 ms default)
Rise time: <10 ns
Signal level: TTL compatible, 4.3Vmin, base-to-peak into 50Ω
[PCIe only: TTL compatible, 2.2 V minimum, base-to-peak into high imped-
ance]
Accuracy: Positive edge within ±[X] nanoseconds of UTC when locked to a
valid 1PPS input reference (for [X], see table below).
Table 1-2: 1 PPS output accuracy
 TCXO OCXO
OCXO (Rugged
Option, cPCI & VPX
only)
Accuracy to UTC (1-
sigma locked to GPS)
±50
ns
±50 ns ±25 ns
1.4 Technical Specifications
CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4 7

 TCXO OCXO
OCXO (Rugged
Option, cPCI & VPX
only)
Holdover (constant temp after 2 weeks of GNSS lock)
After 4 hours 12 μs 3 μs 1 μs
After 24 hours 450
μs
100 μs 25 μs
10 MHz Output
10 MHz sine wave output from oscillator
Output impedance: 50 Ω nominal
Output load: 50 Ω minimum
Output harmonics: < -40 dBc
Output spurious: < -70 dBc
IRIG AM Output
Output formats A, B, E (100Hz, 1kHz), G; NASA36; IEEE 1344
Amplitude:
0.5Vp-p to 6Vp-p into 50 Ω, user settable
1Vp-p to 12Vp-p into > 600 Ω
Output impedance: 50 Ω nominal
Output load: 50 Ω minimum
Modulation ratio: 3:1 nominal
Accuracy: ±2 to 200 microseconds (IRIG-format dependent)
IRIG DCLS Output
Outputs formats: A, B, E, G; NASA36; IEEE 1344 pulse width codes (does not
generate Manchester modulated codes)
RS-485 differential signal:
1.8Vmax common mode output voltage (RS-485 compatible)
1.5Vmin to 3.3V max differential output voltage swing
Single-ended amplitude (100 Ω load):
0.5VVOL max, +2.5 VVOH min (TTL compatible)
GPIO Outputs
Periodic Output:
8CHAPTER 1•VelaSync 1232 User Manual Rev. 4
1.4 Technical Specifications