R7000 firmware 1.0.8.34_1.2.15 and NTP

[jgrodrigueza]

My router just updated to Firmware 1.0.8.34_1.2.15 and seems like they messed up the NTP that was fixed a few releases back.  My router is now stuck on May 8th 2017 every time it starts and the logs say it failed to update NTP.  This also causes VPN connections to fail. An additional issue, all files created or copied to a drived connected to the router will have the timestamp of the router, making file and folder time stamps incorrect.

[jgrodrigueza · Accepted solution]

Sorry for the delay in this response, I was travelling and was not physically with the device.  When I came home, I noticed the NTP was synchronizing properly with firmware 1.0.8.34_1.2.15, made several tests and NTP worked all times (so, fixed itself).

Additionally, I made the latest firmware upgrade (V1.0.9.6_1.2.19) and NTP continues to work.  Also noticed that this last version of the firmware lets you specify an NTP server in "Advanced -> Security -> Schedule".

[jgrodrigueza]

An additional issue, all files created or copied to a drived connected to the router will have the timestamp of the router, making file and folder time stamps incorrect.

[jgrodrigueza]

These are the log lines for when the router starts:

[Admin login] from source 172.27.101.100, Monday, May 08,2017 15:42:42
[DoS attack: FIN Scan] attack packets in last 20 sec from ip [172.217.8.78], Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:31
[Dynamic DNS] host name rodcasvpn1.ddns.net registration successful, Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:09
[Admin login] from source 172.27.101.100, Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:01
[DHCP IP: (172.27.101.2)] to MAC address 02:0F:B5:CC:70:F2, Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:06
[USB device attached] The USB storage device Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex (FreeAgent GoFlex Drive) is a Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:02
[Internet connected] IP address: 186.176.27.225, Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:01
[Internet disconnected] Monday, May 08,2017 15:41:01
[DHCP IP: (172.27.101.100)] to MAC address 14:DD:A9:79:01:41, Thursday, Jan 01,2015 00:00:14
[OPENVPN] NTP sync time failed. Get correct system time then reconnect. Thursday, Jan 01,2015 00:00:10
[DHCP IP: (172.27.101.103)] to MAC address C8:5B:76:1D:98:6F, Thursday, Jan 01,2015 00:00:09
[Initialized, firmware version: V1.0.8.34] Thursday, Jan 01,2015 00:00:07

[ElaineM]

Welcome to the community, @jgrodigueza

Did you try resetting the router?

If not, try to factory reset the router then reconfigure the router as if it's brand new out of the box.

Observe your connection after resetting. 

[jgrodrigueza]

Thanks for answering.  That was the first thing I tried and even re-flashed it being on defaults.  Even being on defaults after doing the factory reset the NTP did not sync.

For the record, I connected an old router that I have and that one synchronized NTP on first try, that way I discarded an issue on my connection or my ISP.  Also, all computers connected are able to sync NTP.

[ElaineM]

Can you ping the NTP of NETGEAR?

time-a.netgear.com

time-b.netgear.com

time-c.netgear.com

Also, try to do a hard reset on the unit by following the steps below. 

1. With the unit powered on, press and hold the reset button on the back of unit for 30seconds.

2. Without releasing the reset button, unplug the unit and hold reset for another 30 seconds.

3. Power on the unit while STILL pushing the reset button and count for another 30 seconds before letting it go. 

[jgrodrigueza]

Thanks.  I will try resetting the router as mentioned.  For the NTP tests, none of the servers respond to ping, but they respond to NTP requests.  Just in case, I tried from my local computer and from a site on the internet to discar any blocks on my side.

For ping, I used: http://ping.eu/ping/

Here, none of the servers anwered to ping.

For NTP Query, I used: https://keetweej.vanheusden.com/query_ntp.php

Here, both "a" and "c" gave a right NTP response, "b" gave a maximum requests exceeded error.

[ElaineM]

If resetting didn't work, downgrade the firmware to confirm if NTP still works. 

[jgrodrigueza · Accepted solution]

Sorry for the delay in this response, I was travelling and was not physically with the device.  When I came home, I noticed the NTP was synchronizing properly with firmware 1.0.8.34_1.2.15, made several tests and NTP worked all times (so, fixed itself).

Additionally, I made the latest firmware upgrade (V1.0.9.6_1.2.19) and NTP continues to work.  Also noticed that this last version of the firmware lets you specify an NTP server in "Advanced -> Security -> Schedule".