Synchronize the system clock to Network Time

Network Time Protocol (NTP) allows a system to synchronize the system clock to network time.

The Network Time Protocol daemon (ntpd) is a Linux operating system daemon. It sets and maintains the system time in synchronization with time servers. 

A time server is a server computer which reads actual time from reference clock and distribute this information to its client using a computer network. It can be a local time server or an internet time server.

To sync a Linux System to a time server you need to install ntpd by using following command:

Install:

yum install ntp

Configuration:

Open ntp configuration file i.e ntp.conf, which is located inside /etc/.

vi /etc/ntp.conf

Locate server parameter and set it as follows:

server pool.ntp.org

Save the file and start/restart ntpd server :

/etc/init.d/ntpd start

Immediate Sync

System clock can be synchronized with an ntp server by using following command:

ntpdate pool.ntp.org