NTP server wifi

[cagdask]

I'm a little confused about the NTP server setup. When we are connecting Loomo and Ros over wifi, do we still need to setup NTP server or can loomo take it over internet? if we need to setup ntp server, I see there are two ntp.conf files; are we supposed to install the client one to Loomo (and how) ? and by the way, why is Ntp server so important? I am currently able to get loomo messages over wifi however there is quite a lag, can this be due to not configures ntp server? I will really apreciate if you can explain this.

[mfe7]

Hi @cagdask -- here are some thoughts from @susanni :

When we are connecting Loomo and Ros over wifi, do we still need to setup NTP server or can loomo take it over internet?

If using the tethering set up, then the Loomo won’t have internet access because the wifi has to be turned off on the Loomo. However, if using the router setup and the router is connected to the internet, wouldn’t all of the devices now have a synced clock, so the NTP server is unnecessary?

are we supposed to install the client one to Loomo (and how) ?

I believe there’s a line in the ROS app on the Loomo that connects to the NTP server by an IP address. The NTP client conf file doesn’t have to be used. The client file should be used on any external devices that want to connect to the network to monitor ROS activity. i.e. the Jetson is the server, and an external PC running rviz is a client.

and by the way, why is Ntp server so important?

So all of the clocks on the devices in the network are in sync. If they aren’t, could cause issues with any program that is time dependent.

I am currently able to get loomo messages over wifi however there is quite a lag, can this be due to not configures ntp server?

Possibly. I do remember seeing the Loomo ROS app claim that I had a large delay, but I don’t remember seeing significant delays when running our ROS programs.