Enable and configure chronyd to keep system time accurate even on flaky networks. 10.12.2025 | reading time: 2 min System time must be precise for logs, certificates and distributed systems; chronyd keeps a Linux host synchronized efficiently even on unreliable networks. Hands-on: enable chronyd Install, enable and verify chronyd with these commands and checks; the example shows both Debian and RHEL style install, then the service enable and a quick status and tracking check: ``` # Debian/Ubuntu sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y chrony # RHEL/CentOS/Fedora sudo dnf install -y chrony # enable and start sudo systemctl enable --now chronyd # check service sudo systemctl status chronyd --no-pager # verify sources and tracking chronyc sources chronyc tracking ``` A sample `chronyc tracking` output looks like this: ``` Reference ID : 1.2.3.4 (ntp.example) Stratum : 3 Ref time (UTC) : Mon Jan 1 12:34:56 2024 System time : 0.000123 seconds slow Last offset : -0.000045 seconds RMS offset : 0.000067 seconds Frequency : 15.123 ppm fast Root delay : 0.025234 seconds Root dispersion : 0.000345 seconds Update interval : 64.0 seconds Leap status : Normal ``` Tune for your environment Edit `/etc/chrony.conf` to add servers or pools, restrict clients and tune behavior; useful options include `pool` or `server` lines, `allow` to permit subnets, `makestep` for large corrections, `rtcsync` to update the hardware clock, and poll controls like `minpoll` and `maxpoll`; example snippet: ``` pool pool.ntp.org iburst allow 192.168.0.0/16 makestep 1.0 3 rtcsync ``` Where chronyd fits chronyd is optimized for virtual machines, laptops and intermittent networks where ntpd struggles; it converges faster, handles large clock jumps safely when configured, and provides the `chronyc` CLI for runtime inspection and scripted control. Next steps Try adding local and public NTP pools, monitor `chronyc tracking` over 24 hours and consider `rtcsync` if you need hardware clock alignment; to deepen Linux skills and prepare for certification, study system services and networking and consider CompTIA Linux+ or LPIC-1, with intensive exam preparation available at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. setup network infrastructure troubleshooting
