This guide explains how to synchronize time on Linux systems using the Chrony daemon for accurate server operations.
Maintaining an accurate system clock is essential for many server operations. Hardware clocks can drift over time, causing discrepancies that might affect scheduling, logging, and security operations. In this guide, you’ll learn how to synchronize time on Linux systems using network peers and the Chrony daemon.Chrony is the default time synchronization tool in modern CentOS systems. It regularly updates the system clock by retrieving time data from trusted internet servers. For example, even a small drift—where your server shows 6 seconds past midnight while the actual time is 5 seconds—can result in noticeable inaccuracies over prolonged periods.
To confirm that Chrony is running correctly, execute the following command:
$ systemctl status chronyd.serviceSelected source 185.82.232.254 (2.centos.pool.ntp.org)System clock was stepped by -0.000844 seconds
Ensure that the Chrony service is active, enabled, and free from errors. If the service appears inactive or displays errors, refer to the troubleshooting steps in the official Chrony documentation.
Before setting up Chrony, it’s important to configure the correct time zone for your server. For instance, to set your server’s time zone to New York time, use:
By following the aforementioned steps, your server will maintain the correct time automatically, enhancing the reliability of server processes. Accurate timekeeping is crucial for server security, logging, and overall performance.Now, let’s get started with some hands-on labs.
