source: basicnet/netprogs/ntp/ntp-config.xml@ 98d18589

<sect2>
<title>Configuring <application><acronym>NTP</acronym></application></title>

<sect3><title>Config files</title>
<para><filename>/etc/ntp.conf</filename></para>
</sect3>

<sect3><title>Configuration Information</title>

<para>The following configuration file defines various <acronym>NTP</acronym>
stratum 2 servers with open access from different continents. It also
creates a drift file where <command>ntpd</command> stores the frequency
offset. Since the documentation included with the package is sparse,
visit the <acronym>NTP</acronym> website at
<ulink url="http://www.ntp.org/"/> for more information.</para>

<screen><userinput><command>cat &gt; /etc/ntp.conf &lt;&lt; "EOF"</command>
# Africa
server tock.nml.csir.co.za

# Asia
server ntp.shim.org

# Australia
server ntp.saard.net
        
# Europe
server ntp.tuxfamily.net

# North America
server clock.psu.edu

driftfile /var/cache/ntp.drift
<command>EOF</command></userinput></screen>
</sect3>

<sect3><title>Synchronizing the time</title>

<para>There are two options. Option one is to use run <command>ntpd</command>
continuously and allow it to synchronize the time in a gradual manner. The other
option is to run <command>ntpd</command> periodically (using cron)
and update the time each time <command>ntpd</command> is scheduled.</para>

<para>If you choose Option one, then install
<filename>/etc/rc.d/init.d/ntp</filename>
init script included in the
<xref linkend="intro-important-bootscripts"/> package.</para>
                                                                                                                
<screen><userinput><command>make install-ntp</command></userinput></screen>

<para>If you prefer to start ntpd periodically, add the following command to
the root's <filename>crontab</filename>:</para>
<screen><userinput>ntpd -q</userinput></screen>

</sect3>

</sect2>