View source for NTPD

'''ntpd (Network Time Protocol Daemon)'''<br>
The ntpd program is an operating system daemon which sets and maintains the system time of day in synchronism with Internet standard time servers. It is a complete implementation of the Network Time Protocol (NTP) version 4, but also retains compatibility with version 3, as defined by RFC-1305, and version 1 and 2, as defined by RFC-1059 and RFC-1119, respectively.


'''Automating the time synchronization'''<br>
You have two choices for automatic time updating, you can run ntpd all the time as a background process or you can have it run once in awhile (if you are tight on system resources).

Running ntpd all the time-<br>
::Just enable rc.ntpd script:
::::<code>chmod +x /etc/rc.d/rc.ntpd</code>
::After the script is enabled you probably will want ntpd to start immediately so, can either restart the system or manually start ntpd with:
::::<code>/etc/rc.d/rc.ntpd start</code>

Running ntpd once in awhile-<br>
::You have many choices but the two best ones are:
:::1) Set up a cron job
:::2) Set up a /etc/rc.d/rc.local entry and update the time on start-up only.
::Either way, you need to add the following commands into your cron job or rc.local script:
::::<code>ntpdate -o 4 pool.ntp.org</code> <---(updates the time)
::::<code>hwclock --systohc</code> <-----------------(saves the time to the hardware clock)


'''Manually updating the time'''<br>
Issue the following commands:
::::<code>ntpdate -o 4 pool.ntp.org</code>
::::<code>hwclock --systohc</code>


'''Choosing the right time server'''<br>
On ntp.org you will find a complete list with the right time server for you.
Let's say you live in germany, then you will choose <code>de.pool.ntp.org</code>. A complete List is available at http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Servers/NTPPoolServers


'''DST changes'''<br>
If your time is off due to DST changes, you must update the <code>/etc/localtime</code> file.  You should be able to find a correct file on the internet and just replace the old <code>/etc/localtime</code> file.

NOTE: Slackware 11 is immune to the 2007 DST changes.


'''Possible Errors & Fixes'''<br>
ERROR: "Unable to contact time server:" error with KDE time Control Module.<br>
FIX: Make sure ntpd is NOT running.  If ntpd is running, manual ntp and KDE ntp updates will return errors due to ntpd having control of the ntp port.


[[Category:Tutorials]]