Services in Linux like cron and kerberos relies on an accurate and synchronized clock. This article describes how to synchronize the system clock with an NTP server.

Date Time Properties Shortcut1. Click System, select Administration and click Date & Time.
Date Time Properties2. In the Date/Time Properties window, click the Network Time Protocol tab.
Date Time Properties3. Check Enable Network Time Protocol. Next click Show advanced options and check Synchronize system clock before starting service. Finally, click OK.
NoteYou can also do this from the command line, below are the equivalent commands. You need to have root level access to use the commands below.
  • /usr/sbin/ntpdate pool.ntp.org
    immediately synchronizes the system clock. Make sure the ntpd service is not running before using this command.
  • /sbin/service ntpd start
    starts the ntpd service
  • /sbin/service ntpd stop
    stops the ntpd service
  • /etc/ntp.conf
    the above is not a command, it is the location of the ntpd configuration file

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Posted on 10/24/2009 and last updated on 11/30/2009
Filed under System Administration