Synchronizing the system clock with NTP

In this recipe, we will learn how to synchronize the system clock with an external time server using NTP.

Time remains an essential tool for your server because every aspect of managing, securing, running, and debugging a network involves determining when events happen or are about to take place. From the need to time stamp documents, e-mails, logfiles, or by simply interacting with shared devices and services, everything on your server is dependent on maintaining an accurate system clock and it is the purpose of this recipe to show you how to achieve this with the Network Time Protocol (NTP).

Getting ready

To complete this recipe you will require a working installation of the CentOS 6 operating system with root privileges, a console-based text editor of your choice, and a connection to the Internet to facilitate the download of additional packages.

How to do it...

If you are using the minimal installation recommended by this book, then the Network Time...