Spectracom PRISMA VelaSync User manual

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PRISMAVelaSync®
High-Speed Enterprise Time Server
User's Manual
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Spectracom Part No.: 1232-5000-0050
Revision: 1
Date: 11-May-2018
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spectracom.com

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© 2018 Spectracom. All rights reserved.
The information in this document has been carefully reviewed and is
believed to be accurate and up-to-date. Spectracom assumes no respons-
ibility 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 organization of updates. This User Manual is sub-
ject to change without notice. For the most current version of this doc-
umentation, please see our web site at spectracom.com.
Spectracom reserves the right to make changes to the product described in
this document 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 accordance with the terms of those agreements.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval sys-
tem, or transmitted in any form or any means electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying and recording for any purpose other than the pur-
chaser's personal use without the written permission of Spectracom
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
• Room 208, No. 3 Zhong Guan Village South Road, Hai Dian District, Beijing 100081, China
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Do you have questions or comments regarding this User Manual?
è E-mail:
Warranty Information
For a copy of Spectracom's Limited Warranty policy, see the Spectracom
website: http://spectracom.com/support/warranty-information.
VelaSync User's Manual I

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II VelaSync User's Manual

CONTENTS
VelaSync User's 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 28
2.5.1 Connecting the GPS Antenna 29
2.5.2 Connecting Power 29
2.5.3 Establishing a Network Connection 30
2.6 Accessing the WebUI 31
2.7 Configuring IP Address(es) 31
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 34
2.8 Advanced Timing Connections 35
2.8.1 TSync I/O Signals 35
2.8.1.1 Timing Interface Adapter Cable 35
2.8.1.2 Basic Breakout Cable 36
2.8.1.3 Premium Breakout Cable 38
2.8.2 Status LEDs 40
2.9 Configuring Network Settings 41
2.9.1 General Network Settings 42
2.9.2 Network Ports 43
2.9.3 Network Services 45
2.9.4 Access Rules 46
2.9.5 IPMI Configuration 47
2.9.6 SSH 48
2.9.7 SNMP 54
2.9.7.1 SNMP V1/V2c 58
2.9.7.2 SNMP V3 59
2.9.7.3 SNMP Traps 61
2.10 Configuring NTP 63
2.10.1 Checklist NTP Configuration 64
IV VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

2.10.2 The NTP Setup Screen 64
2.10.3 Dis-/Enabling NTP 67
2.10.4 Viewing NTP Clients 67
2.10.5 Restoring the Default NTP Configuration 68
2.10.6 NTP Output Timescale 68
2.10.7 NTP Reference Configuration 70
2.10.8 NTP Servers and Peers 70
2.10.8.1 The NTP Servers and NTP Peers Panels 71
2.10.8.2 NTP Servers: Adding, Configuring, Removing 72
2.10.8.3 NTP Peers: Adding, Configuring, Removing 74
2.10.9 NTP Authentication 75
2.10.9.1 NTP: Symmetric Keys (MD5) 75
2.10.10 NTP Access Restrictions 78
2.10.11 Spectracom Technical Support for NTP 80
2.11 Configuring PTP 80
2.11.1 The PTP Screen 80
2.11.1.1 The PTP Settings Panel 81
2.11.1.2 The PTP Statistics Panel 83
2.11.2 Enabling/Disabling PTP 84
2.11.3 Configuration — General Steps 84
CHAPTER 3
Managing Time 87
3.1 The Time Management Screen 88
3.2 System Time 89
3.2.1 System Time 90
3.2.1.1 Configuring the System Time 90
3.2.1.2 Timescales 91
3.2.1.3 Manually Setting the Time 92
3.2.1.4 Using Battery Backed Time on Startup 94
3.2.2 Timescale Offset(s) 96
3.2.2.1 Configuring a Timescale Offset 96
3.2.3 Leap Seconds 97
3.2.3.1 Reasons for a Leap Second Correction 97
3.2.3.2 Leap Second Alert Notification 98
3.2.3.3 Leap Second Correction Sequence 98
VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS V

3.2.3.4 Configuring a Leap Second 99
3.2.4 Local Clock(s), DST 100
3.2.4.1 Adding a Local Clock 100
3.2.4.2 DST Examples 102
3.2.4.3 DST and UTC, GMT 103
3.3 Managing References 103
3.3.1 Input Reference Priorities 103
3.3.1.1 Configuring Input Reference Priorities 105
3.3.1.2 The "Local System" Reference 108
3.3.1.3 The "User/User" Reference 108
3.3.1.4 Reference Priorities: EXAMPLES 110
3.3.2 The GNSS Reference 113
3.3.2.1 Reviewing the GNSS Reference Status 114
3.3.2.2 Determining Your GNSS Receiver Model 119
3.3.2.3 Selecting a GNSS Receiver Mode 120
3.3.2.4 Setting GNSS Receiver Dynamics 122
3.3.2.5 Performing a GNSS Receiver Survey 124
3.3.2.6 GNSS Receiver Offset 125
3.3.2.7 Resetting the GNSS Receiver 126
3.3.2.8 Deleting the GNSS Receiver Position 127
3.3.2.9 Manually Setting the GNSS Position 128
3.3.2.10 GNSS Constellations 130
3.3.2.11 A-GPS 134
3.3.3 Holdover Mode 138
3.4 Managing the Oscillator 142
3.4.1 Configuring the Oscillator 143
3.4.1.1 Time Figure of Merit (TFOM) 144
3.4.2 Monitoring the Oscillator 145
3.4.3 Oscillator Logs 148
CHAPTER 4
System Administration 149
4.1 Issuing the HALT Command Before Removing Power 150
4.2 Rebooting the System 150
4.3 Hardware Tasks 151
4.3.1 Replacing a Power Supply 151
4.3.2 Removing/Installing a Hard Disk Drive 152
VI VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

4.4 Notifications 154
4.4.1 Configuring Notifications 155
4.4.2 Notification Event Types 156
4.4.2.1 Timing Tab: Events 157
4.4.2.2 GPS Tab: Events 157
4.4.2.3 System Tab: Events 157
4.4.3 Configuring GPS Notification Alarm Thresholds 158
4.4.4 Setting Up SNMP Notifications 159
4.4.5 Setting Up Email Notifications 160
4.5 Managing Users and Security 162
4.5.1 Managing User Accounts 162
4.5.1.1 Types of Accounts 162
4.5.1.2 About "user" Account Permissions 162
4.5.1.3 Rules for Usernames 164
4.5.1.4 Adding/Deleting/Changing User Accounts 164
4.5.2 Managing Passwords 166
4.5.2.1 Configuring Password Policies 167
4.5.2.2 The Administrator Password 167
4.5.2.3 Lost Password 168
4.5.3 Web UI Timeout 170
4.6 Miscellanous Typical Configuration Tasks 170
4.6.1 Creating a Login Banner 170
4.6.2 Show Clock 172
4.6.3 Synchronizing Network PCs 173
4.7 Quality Management 173
4.7.1 System Monitoring 173
4.7.1.1 Status Monitoring via the Web UI 173
4.7.1.2 Ethernet Monitoring 176
4.7.1.3 NTP Status Monitoring 177
4.7.1.4 Monitoring the Oscillator 178
4.7.2 Logs 181
4.7.2.1 Types of Logs 181
4.7.2.2 The Logs Screen 185
4.7.2.3 Displaying Individual Logs 186
4.7.2.4 Saving and Downloading Logs 186
4.7.2.5 Setting up a Remote Log Server 188
4.7.2.6 Clearing All Logs 189
VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS VII

4.8 Updates and Licenses 189
4.8.1 Software Updates 189
APPENDIX
Appendix 191
5.1 Troubleshooting 192
5.1.1 Minor and Major Alarms 192
5.1.2 Troubleshooting: System Configuration 193
5.1.2.1 System Troubleshooting: Browser Support 193
5.1.3 Troubleshooting – Unable to Open Web UI 194
5.1.4 Troubleshooting via Web UI Status Page 194
5.1.5 Troubleshooting GNSS Reception 196
5.1.6 Troubleshooting Hardware Issues 197
5.1.6.1 Power Supply Failure 197
5.1.7 Troubleshooting – 1PPS, 10 MHz Outputs 197
5.1.8 Troubleshooting – Network PCs Cannot Sync 198
5.1.9 Troubleshooting Software Update 199
5.2 Command-Line Interface 199
5.2.1 Setting up a Terminal Emulator 199
5.2.2 CLICommands 200
5.3 IRIG Standards and Specifications 205
5.3.1 About the IRIG Output Resolution 205
5.3.2 IRIG Carrier Frequencies 205
5.3.3 IRIG B Output 209
5.3.4 IRIG E Output 213
5.3.5 IRIG Output Accuracy Specifications 217
5.4 Choosing a GNSS Antenna Location 218
5.5 Maintenance and Service 220
5.6 Product Registration 220
5.7 Links to External Information 221
5.8 Technical Support 222
5.8.1 Regional Contact 222
5.9 Return Shipments 223
5.10 License Notices 223
5.10.1 NTPv4.2.6p5 223
VIII VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

5.10.2 OpenSSH 227
5.10.3 OpenSSL 230
5.11 List of Tables 234
5.12 List of Images 235
5.13 Document Revision History 235
INDEX
VelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS IX

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XVelaSync User's Manual • TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1•VelaSync User's Manual 1
CHAPTER 1
Introduction & Overview
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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
PRISMA VelaSync® High-Speed Time Server is an enterprise-class time serving appliance
designed for high-frequency trading and other network applications that require low latencies.
VelaSync’s customized configuration, comprising state-of-the-art network synchronization soft-
ware, precision GNSS (GPS) timing technology, and reliable server hardware allows it to
provide high-performance time management over multiple network interfaces.
PRISMA VelaSync is the latest version of this unit. For the user manual for an original VelaSync (part
number 1225-xxxx-xxxx, purchased before 2018) 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 communication ports.
Software
The pre-installed time synchronization and management software allows to distribute very accur-
ate 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 PRISMA 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
technical specifications
other reference information.
The main objectives of this User Manual are:
2CHAPTER 1•VelaSync User's Manual Rev. 1
1.1 Product Overview

a. to assist you with the installation and configuration of this product in a safe and efficient
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 integ-
rators and PC technicians.
Other relevant documentation
Note: PRISMA VelaSync is the latest version of this unit. For the user manual for an
original VelaSync, see the VelaSync User's Manual, part number 1225-5000-
0050, archived on the Spectacom website.
This Spectracom User Manual is complemented by the Spectracom VelaSync Quick Reference
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 technical spe-
cifications, 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 rep-
resents the main user interface for configuring and monitoring VelaSync. CHAPTER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151, "Notifications" on page154, and "Managing
Users and Security" on page162.
1.2 About this Manual
CHAPTER 1•VelaSync User's Manual Rev. 13

APPENDIX
The document appendix includes "Troubleshooting" on page192, as well as administrative
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 install-
ation/maintenance personnel if used under conditions that must be deemed unsafe, or for pur-
poses other than the product's designated use.
The PRISMA 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 technicians
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 User's Manual Rev. 1
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 User's Manual Rev. 15

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 User's Manual Rev. 1
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 impedance]
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
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
1.4 Technical Specifications
CHAPTER 1•VelaSync User's Manual Rev. 17

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 gen-
erate 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:
Amplitude: TTL compatible, 4.3Vmin, base-to-peak into 50Ω
[PCIe only: 2.2 V minimum, base-top-peak into high impedance]
Pulse width: 50ns to 999ms active pulse width, in 20ns increments
Period: 100ns min, 60s max, in 20ns increments
Polarity (selectable): Positive or negative
Time-Match/Alarm Output
Amplitude: TTL compatible, 4.3 V minimum, base-to-peak into 50 Ω; 2.2 V min-
imum, base-to-peak into high-impedance
Range: 100 days in 5 ns steps
8CHAPTER 1•VelaSync User's Manual Rev. 1
1.4 Technical Specifications