Check Computers before March 11 Switch to Daylight Saving Time
02/27/2007
Daylight Saving Time (DST) arrives three weeks earlier this year, and computer users and system administrators need to prepare for the change. The U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 moves the date we “spring forward” up by three weeks, and extends the date we “fall back” by one week. Modern computers normally adjust their clocks for DST automatically; therefore, unless the operating system is updated to know the new rules, the spring change, scheduled for March 11 this year, won’t take place on time. Some experts warn that we face a “mini Y2K.”
The issue affects any devices that maintain a date and time clock, from desktop computers to laptops, servers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), alarm systems that operate on a schedule, etc. Any of these devices that automatically convert to and from DST will need updating. For devices that keep time but don’t switch automatically, users will need to make the change manually on March 11.
Here are some of the potential consequences of failing to act:
• Calendaring and scheduling will be off by one hour during the three weeks between March 11 and the old DST start date. People whose computers or PDAs are off likely will miss meetings and appointments.
• Computer processes that operate on a schedule will be off by an hour. For instance, if an online business transaction is supposed to take place at midnight, it will occur an hour late.
• Logs and reports with timestamps will show the wrong information.
• Systems that depend on the time of a client computer being in sync will not work. For instance, the Kerberos authentication tool requires that a computer making a request have its time no more than five minutes different than that of the server.
• Devices that operate on a schedule will need to be reprogrammed. For instance, the MSU Police will update the servers that manage the campus security alarm system. Even the automated parking gates will need reprogramming.
Most end users will not need to make any changes to their systems if they run current software and have enabled automated updates. Nonetheless, vendors and other experts advise that you take precautions in order to avoid a scheduling error that causes you to miss urgent appointments between March 11, 2007 and April 1, 2007 (the old DST “spring forward” date).
Experts advise that for any meetings users take these additional steps:
• Print your calendar for that time interval.
• Include the times of meetings in the meeting description for any events scheduled during the three week interval.
• Verify times for important meetings or appointments separately by phone or e-mail.
• Put signs up in meeting rooms and offices reminding people to remain aware.
Older versions of operating systems, such as Windows 98, are no longer supported by vendors. These systems will continue to convert to and from DST under the old rules. You will need to disable automatic updates, for instance under Windows using the Control Panel; otherwise, your computer will continue to update to and from DST on the wrong dates. After you disable automatic DST changes, you will have to change time on your computer when DST comes and goes just as you must with your alarm clock and your microwave oven.
Microsoft no longer provides automated updates for Windows 2000. Instead, Microsoft has supplied a tool that must be installed manually. For information about the DST change and any Microsoft product, see Microsoft’s “Daylight Saving Time Help and Support Center” at http://support.microsoft.com/gp/cp_dst .
Users of Microsoft Exchange and Outlook will need to run an update tool. See http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/outlook/HA102086071033.aspx . Note that everyone you schedule meetings with must update as well, or meeting times will be wrong. Microsoft Exchange also requires a patch. Mail system administrators must coordinate the Exchange update with end users running the Outlook tool; otherwise, calendars will be off by one hour before March 11.
The change in DST applies to operating systems besides Windows. Apple has released an update for Mac OS-X. Users of MacOS earlier than 9.2 will have to disable automatic time zone changes and set the clock manually from now on. See http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305056
Linux and various versions of Unix will all need to be patched. See the Web site for your vendor or provider for instructions.
As for PDAs, users of recent Palm devices can set preferences to specify the start and end dates for DST. Microsoft has released a patch for users of Windows Mobile devices; see http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/daylightsaving/default.mspx
ACNS and AIS system sponsors have been busy updating the servers that host the core computer services the campus relies upon. As for those parking gates: the MSU Police tell us that they are on the case and the gates will be updated.
Note: before attempting to upgrade any university-owned computer, please contact your computer support staff. For more information please see: http://techbase.msu.edu/viewpathfinder.asp?service=techbase&view=printable&id=7838 or contact the ACNS Help Desk at (517) 432-6200.
– Rich Wiggins, ACNS
