Why do I see UTC time In GUI logs?

05/26/2020 7 3914

DESCRIPTION:

By default, the SonicWall Security Appliance uses an internal list of public NTP servers to update the time automatically. Network Time Protocol (NTP) is a protocol used to synchronize computer clock times in a network of computers. NTP uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to synchronize computer clock times to a millisecond, and sometimes to a fraction of a millisecond.

Coordinated Universal Time (or UTC) is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is within about 1 second of mean solar time at 0° longitude, and is not adjusted for daylight saving time. It is effectively a successor to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

RESOLUTION:

If an event has taken place and you would like to see the logs for that time period it is very easy to find that under INVESTIGATE | Event Logs. Although if the logs show up with UTC time zone it will be very difficult to find the logs we are looking for.

It would be easier if we could see the logs in local time. 

NOTE: To configure time settings on the firewall using NTP, please refer to How To Enable And Configure NTP On A SonicWall UTM Appliance

It is essential that the firewall is on the right time zone and then we can disable the following option under MANAGE | Appliance | System Time 'Display UTC in logs (instead of local time)' to change the time zone for GUI logs. Uncheck the check-box next to it and click on ACCEPT at the bottom of the page.

The logs would then show up with local time.