Article -- Creating a Linux Time Server

Quick How to on Setting up a NTP Server

This article assumes that you are using a Debian based version of Linux or that you at least have apt-get installed.

On The Server

1. apt-get install ntp-server
2. Pat your self on the back.

On the Client

1. apt-get install ntpdate
2. Edit the /etc/init.d/ntpdate file. Look for the line NTPSERVERS="my.server.com" and set it to your server.

If you don't have a /etc/init.d/ntpdate file you can add a command for cron to run:

ntpdate my.server.com

More Information

Ok that was pretty easy, maybe too easy. Heres a little background info incase every thing didn't go as smooth as the article. If your having problems with the client connecting to the server and you are behind a firewall make sure that UDP port 123 is open.
If your looking for a free server on the Internet you can use ntp.pool.org. This will connect you to a random server and if one goes down you will be automatically routed to a new one. Typically on your network it's best to set on main server with pool.ntp.org and have the rest point to it.
If your firewall setting are somewhat open you may need to add a couple of lines in your /etc/ntp.conf file to improve security.>

restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap restrict 127.0.0.1

Modify the IP addresses to match your network.

Connecting with a Windows Client

1. Click on the time at the bottom right hand side of your screen in the task bar
2. Click on the "Internet Time" tab of the dialog box
3. Click the check box labeled "Automatically synchronize with an "Internet time server" and enter the Host name or IP address in the box.
4. Click on the "Update Now" button
5. You should get a message saying "Your time has been successfully synchronized"

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