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Time synchronization configuration

Time synchronization configuration

Ansible Role timemaster

SEAPATH provides an Ansible role fortimemaster to automate the setup of time synchronization on your hosts.

This role:

  • Generates and manages the /etc/linuxptp/timemaster.conf file.

  • Enables and supervises the timemaster service.

  • Populates the ptp4l, chrony, and phc2sys sections according to your variables.

Main Variables:

Variable

Purpose

Variable

Purpose

ptp_interface

Name of the network interface that receives PTP frames.

ptp_vlanid

(Optional) VLAN ID to use for the PTP interface.

ntp_servers

List of NTP servers to configure in the [chrony.conf] section.

By setting these variables in your inventory or playbook, you describe exactly how timemaster should behave on each host.

⚠️ Networking Is Separate

The timemaster role does not create or configure network interfaces itself.
If you need to create a dedicated interface or VLAN for PTP traffic, do it first using the network_basics role on Ansible Galaxy

  • network_basics consumes custom_network / custom_netdev variables where you can write your desired systemd-networkd configuration (interfaces, VLANs, bonds, etc.).

  • Once the interface exists, you can point timemaster at it via ptp_interface and, if applicable, ptp_vlanid.

This separation ensures that network changes and time synchronization configuration remain decoupled and manageable.

Documentation

For all variable names, defaults, and examples, consult the official documentation of each role:

  • timemaster role on Ansible Galaxy

  • network_basics role on Ansible Galaxy