Synchronize the system clock to Network Time Protocol (NTP) under Fedora or Red Hat Linux

The Network Time Protocol daemon (ntpd) program is a Linux operating system daemon. It sets and maintains the system time of day in synchronism with time servers (Mills).

You need to configure ntpd via /etc/ntp.conf configuration file. The file is well documented and you easily configure it.

Install ntpd

If ntpd is not installed use any one of the following command to install ntpd:
# yum install ntp
or
# up2date ntp



Configuration

You should at least set following parameter in /etc/ntp.conf config file:
server

For example, open /etc/ntp.conf file using vi text editor:

# vi /etc/ntp.conf

Locate server parameter and set it as follows:
server pool.ntp.org

Save the file and restart the ntpd service:
# /etc/init.d/ntpd start

You can synchronize the system clock to an NTP server immediately with following command:
# ntpdate pool.ntp.org


To check the current date and time
# date