Adding NTP Time Server on Linux

This was written and done on a Redhat ES4 and Cent OS machine but is a general guide and should apply to most Linux distribution types. Syncing your Linux Server with an NTP Time Server Adding a time server is very easy and only requires modification of two files. Lets begin. Step 1 SSH into your machine to goto the console. Become the user root. Step 2 Backup your current ntp.conf file - 'cp /etc/ntp.conf /etc/ntp.conf.ORIG' Step 3 Edit your ntp.conf file - 'vi /etc/ntp.conf' Step 4 Scroll down until you see: # --- OUR TIMESERVERS ----- server 0.pool.ntp.org server 1.pool.ntp.org server 2.pool.ntp.org Step 5 Comment out these lines by adding a '#' before each line. (If using vi type 'i' to begin editing) # --- OUR TIMESERVERS ----- #server 0.pool.ntp.org #server 1.pool.ntp.org #server 2.pool.ntp.org Step 6 Below the last server add your server IP or Domain # --- OUR TIMESERVERS ----- #server 0.pool.ntp.org #server 1.pool.ntp.org #server 2.pool.ntp.org server 192.168.0.1 Step 7 Save the file and exit (if using vi save by typing :wq) Step 8 Now we will edit your step-tickers file. Make a backup by using this commaind: 'cp /etc/ntp/step-tickers /etc/ntp/step-tickers.ORIG' Step 9 Open the file in your favorite editor: 'vi /etc/ntp/step-tickers' The file will normally be blank. Step 10 Add your time-server IP or Domain to the file (if using vi type i to begin inserting). 192.168.0.1 Step 11 Save and exit the file (if using vi type ':wq') Step 12 Now we want to enable ntp at startup and start the service now. Execute the command 'chkconfig --level 2345 ntpd on' Step 13 Start the service now, execute: 'service ntpd start' - if everything goes well you should see: Congratulations, your Linux server should now be synced. Type 'date' to determine if the time has been synced correctly.