‍Rocky Linux 8 is a popular operating system known for its stability and reliability. To ensure accurate time synchronization, many users rely on Chrony, an implementation of the Network Time Protocol (NTP). In this guide, we will walk you through the process of installing and configuring Chrony on your Rocky Linux 8 server. By the end of this article, you will have a synchronized system clock that keeps accurate time.

Installing Chrony

To begin, you need to install Chrony on your Rocky Linux 8 server. Follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal on your Rocky Linux 8 server.
2. Use the following command to install Chrony:

yum install chrony -y

3. Wait for the installation to complete.

Configuring Chrony

Once Chrony is installed, you need to configure it to synchronize with NTP servers. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the configuration file for Chrony using the following command:

nano /etc/chrony.conf

2. In the configuration file, you will see various options. Modify the file to suit your requirements. For example, you can specify the NTP servers to use by adding the following line:

server pool.ntp.org iburst

3. Save the changes and exit the editor.

Verifying and Tracking Chrony Synchronization

After configuring Chrony, it’s important to verify whether your system’s time is synchronized. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the terminal on your Rocky Linux 8 server.
2. Use the following command to check the synchronization status:

chronyc tracking

3. The output will display information such as the reference ID, stratum, system time, last offset, and more. This information helps you determine if your system’s time is synchronized accurately.

Checking Chrony Sources

To ensure reliable time synchronization, Chrony uses time sources. You can check the time sources used by Chrony with the following command:

chronyc sources

The output will show a list of time sources along with their stratum, poll, reach, and other details. This information helps you understand which time sources Chrony is using to synchronize your system’s clock.

Monitoring Chrony Source Statistics

In addition to checking the time sources, you can also monitor the statistics of each source used by Chrony. This information provides insights into the drift speed and offset estimation of each source. Use the following command to view the source statistics:

chronyc sourcestats -v

The output will display detailed information for each source, including the number of sample points, length of measurement set, clock frequency error, offset estimation, and more. This data helps you analyze the accuracy and reliability of each time source.

Manually Syncing Time with a Remote NTP Server

In some cases, you may want to manually sync the time of your Rocky Linux 8 server with a specific NTP server. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the terminal on your Rocky Linux 8 server.
2. Use the following command to sync the time with a remote NTP server:

chronyd -q 'server <ntp_server_address> iburst'

Replace <ntp_server_address> with the address of the NTP server you want to use for time synchronization.

Starting and Enabling the Chronyd Service

To ensure that Chrony starts automatically with your system and remains enabled, follow these steps:

1. Open the terminal on your Rocky Linux 8 server.
2. Use the following command to start the Chronyd service:

systemctl start chronyd

3. Use the following command to enable the Chronyd service:

systemctl enable chronyd

Troubleshooting Chrony

If you encounter any issues with Chrony, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take:

1. Make sure that the Chrony service is running by using the following command:

systemctl status chronyd

2. Check the configuration file /etc/chrony.conf for any errors or typos.
3. Restart the Chrony service by using the following command:

systemctl restart chronyd

Additional Information

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In conclusion, Chrony is an essential tool for synchronizing the system clock in Rocky Linux 8. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can ensure that your server’s time is accurate and reliable. Whether you’re running critical applications or managing a network, accurate time synchronization is crucial for smooth operations.

Christian Wells