Setting the system time

NVR configuration : Basic NVR configuration : Setting the system time

For many features to work, including camera synchronization, scheduling, logging, and SSL/TLS-dependent features, the FortiRecorder system time must be accurate.

You can either manually set the FortiRecorder system time or configure the FortiRecorder appliance to automatically keep its system time correct by synchronizing with a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server.


	NTP is recommended to achieve better time accuracy. NTP requires that your FortiRecorder be able to connect to the Internet on UDP port 123. Adjust your firewall, if any, to allow these connections.

Later, when cameras are added to your surveillance system, your FortiRecorder NVR will synchronize the camera clocks with its own to keep them in agreement.

To configure the system time

1. Go to System > Configuration > Time.

2. Either manually set the date and time or select to synchronize with NTP server.

3. Click Apply.

If you manually configured the time, or if you enabled NTP and the NTP query for the current time succeeds, the new clock time should appear in System time. (If the query reply is slow, you may need to wait a couple of seconds, then click Refresh to update the display in System time.)

If the NTP query fails, the system clock will continue without adjustment.


	NTP on FortiRecorder complies with RFC 5905. If the current system time differs greatly from the actual time, NTP will adjust the clock slowly to avoid incongruous jumps in log message timestamps and other time-dependent features. If you want the time to be corrected immediately, set the time zone and time manually first, then switch to NTP.

If FortiRecorder’s time was 3 hours late, for example, and NTP fails, the time will still be exactly 3 hours late. Verify your DNS server IPs, your NTP server IP or name, routing, and that your firewalls or routers do not block or proxy UDP port 123.


	NTP queries may fail until you have configured gateway and DNS settings. See “Configuring the network settings”.