Using an NTP Time Server From the NTP Pool

1. What is NTP (Network Time Protocol)?

  1. Standard protocol for time synchronization in computer networks.* Ensures accurate and consistent timekeeping across connected devices. Clock Synchronization:

  2. NTP synchronizes clocks on servers and devices. Mitigates issues related to time discrepancies in distributed systems. Precision and Accuracy:

  3. Facilitates precise timekeeping by adjusting clocks to a common reference. Crucial for various applications, including security, log management, and global coordination.

2. Why should we install NTP on our servers?

  1. NTP (Network Time Protocol) ensures accurate and synchronized time across servers.
    Critical for consistent log entries, debugging, and coordination between systems. Security:

  2. Timestamps are crucial for security protocols.
    Synchronized time helps in detecting and investigating security incidents. Transaction Ordering:

  3. Essential for applications with distributed databases or transactions.
    Maintains chronological order and consistency in data transactions. Legal and Compliance:

  4. Compliance requirements often mandate accurate and synchronized timekeeping.
    Timestamps are crucial for legal and regulatory purposes. Prevents Data Inconsistencies:

  5. Helps prevent data discrepancies that can occur when systems have divergent time settings.
    Consistent timestamps aid in data integrity and reliability. Log Analysis and Troubleshooting:

  6. Facilitates log correlation and analysis across multiple servers.
    Simplifies troubleshooting by providing accurate time references. Authentication and Authorization:

  7. Timestamps play a role in authentication protocols.
    Ensures accurate token validity periods, enhancing security. Global Operations:

  8. Especially crucial in environments with geographically distributed servers.
    Ensures coordination across different time zones, preventing operational issues. Prevents Skewed Metrics:

  9. Important for performance monitoring and metric analysis.
    Accurate time synchronization ensures reliable performance metrics. Network Efficiency:

  10. Helps in scheduling tasks and managing resources efficiently.
    Reduces potential issues arising from time-related inconsistencies in networked systems.

3. International and National NTP Pools

NTP Pool UK
NTP Pool USA
NTP Pool Australia
NTP Pool ZA \

3.1 Pools by Continent

See all zones in North America
See all zones in South America
See all zones in Europe
See all zones in Africa
See all zones in Asia
See All zones in Oceania
See all zones in All Pool Servers

For other countries: https://www.ntppool.org/en/zone/{internet country codes}
International internet country code list

USA settings:

server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
server 3.us.pool.ntp.org

USE :

pool 0.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 1.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 2.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 3.us.pool.ntp.org iburst

4. Setting NTP on Linux Servers

4.1 Setting NTP on Ubuntu Servers

Install NTP on Ubuntu server

sudo su -

sudo apt update

sudo apt install ntp

**Edit your NTP Pool: **

sudo nano /etc/ntp.conf

Look for :

# Specify one or more NTP servers.

Put this into the file

server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
server 3.us.pool.ntp.org

Check status of ntp service:

sudo service --status-all | grep ntp

sudo systemctl status ntp

Restart the Ntp service

sudo systemctl restart ntp

4.2 Setting NTP on Rocky Linux

sudo dnf update

timedatectl

sudo timedatectl set-ntp on

sudo dnf install chrony -y

sudo systemctl start chronyd
sudo systemctl enable chronyd
sudo systemctl status chronyd

Edit NTP configuration

sudo nano /etc/chrony.conf

#  add # before the “pool 2.rocky.pool

Add the folowing entries for a server in the USA

server 0.us.pool.ntp.org
server 1.us.pool.ntp.org
server 2.us.pool.ntp.org
server 3.us.pool.ntp.org

Enable the NTP sync by running the below command:

sudo timedatectl set-ntp true

Restart the Chrony service to make changes successful:

sudo systemctl restart chronyd

To display the Chronyd tracking that shows the complete statistics about the system:

chronyc tracking

Use this command to verify that NTP is using Chrony for the time sync:

chronyc sources

5. Setting NTP on Proxmox Servers

Edit NTP configuration

sudo nano /etc/chrony/chrony.conf

You should locate this entry:

# Use Debian vendor zone.
pool 2.debian.pool.ntp.org iburst

The relevant dynamic NTP servers are dished out from:

server 0.debian.pool.ntp.org iburst dynamic
server 1.debian.pool.ntp.org iburst dynamic
server 2.debian.pool.ntp.org iburst dynamic
server 3.debian.pool.ntp.org iburst dynamic

Use server for your country:
USA

pool 0.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 1.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 2.us.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 3.us.pool.ntp.org iburst

UK

pool 0.uk.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 1.uk.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 2.uk.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 3.uk.pool.ntp.org iburst

ZA

pool 0.za.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 1.za.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 2.za.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 3.za.pool.ntp.org iburst

Apply changes

sudo systemctl restart chronyd

Check time on your proxmox server

date

Bibliography

https://www.ntppool.org/zone
https://www.digitalocean.com/community/tutorials/how-to-configure-ntp-for-use-in-the-ntp-pool-project-on-ubuntu-16-04
https://linuxhint.com/configure-ntp-linux-mint/
https://www.unixmen.com/syncronise-time-ntp-server-ubuntu-mintdebian/
https://forums.linuxmint.com/viewtopic.php?t=378554
https://linuxhint.com/configure-ntp-time-rocky-linux-9/
https://linuxconfig.org/ubuntu-22-04-ntp-server