NTP

MAAS provides managed NTP services (with ntpd) for all region and rack controllers. This allows MAAS to both keep its own controllers synchronized, and keep deployed machines synchronized as well. NTP is configured on the Settings page.

The region controller configures the NTP service to keep its time synchronized from one or more external sources. By default, the MAAS region controller uses ntp.ubuntu.com.

The rack controllers also configure the NTP service. They synchronize their time with the region controllers.

Rack controllers also configure DHCP with the correct NTP information. Any machine on the network that obtains a DHCP lease from MAAS will benefit from NTP support.

External sites can be used directly as a time source for both rack controllers and machines. This also allows an existing NTP infrastructure to be used for the above systems. This is done by choosing the NTP server(s) and selecting the 'External Only' option. The region controller always uses an external site.