Chrony Install
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[edit] Introduction to Chrony
Chrony is a program that will keep your computer clock at the proper time. It uses the NTP (Network time protocol) network which is setup to synchronize computers and distribute time references across networks. But where other NTP clients (like xntpd) need a continuously Internet connection (to synchronize at predefined times) Chrony supports intermittent internet connections (like a modem or chello :P). Chrony also keeps track of the computers internal clock error compared to the NTP time to correct the time when the computer isn't connected to the internet (which is also handy even with a continuously connection).
If you want to read more about Chrony please visit the Chrony site or if you want to read a comparison between chrony and other NTP clients visit here. Then if you decided not to run Chrony but want the standard NTP client please visit here.
[edit] Installing Chrony
To install Chrony simply type
emerge -av chrony
If chrony has been masked echo the propper keyword into your keywordlist
flagedit net-misc/chrony -- +~amd64 #for amd64 architecture flagedit net-misc/chrony -- +~x86 #for X86 architecture
OR If you have not installed flagedit, use the manual way :
echo ">=net-misc/chrony-1.21-r1 ~amd64" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords #for amd64 architecture echo ">=net-misc/chrony-1.21-r1 ~x86" >> /etc/portage/package.keywords #for X86 architecture
Then run installation again
emerge -av chrony
[edit] Configuring Chrony
First copy the example config file to the /etc/chrony directory
bzcat /usr/share/doc/chrony-*/chrony.conf.example.bz2 > /etc/chrony/chrony.conf
Now open the config file and start reading (it should be self explaining... But if you need obscure options or need more info check Chrony site)
nano -w /etc/chrony/chrony.conf
(Save and exit when done)
For editting the config file here are a few hints :
- Visit the NTP Pool to find a NTP server in your vicinity
- Add the NTP servers like this (less bogus time packages)
server pool.ntp.org minpoll 5 maxpoll 10 maxdelay 0.4 offline
- Uncomment maxupdateskew step too keep out Bogus changes
- Uncomment the initstepslew step if you want chrony to set your hardware clock when it starts
Secondly copy the example key file to the /etc/chrony directory
bzcat /usr/share/doc/chrony-*/chrony.keys.example.bz2 > /etc/chrony/chrony.keys
Now open the key file and add atleast 1 key
nano -w /etc/chrony/chrony.keys
(a file with 2 lines would suffice :
1 THIS_SHOULD_LOOK_LIKE_SOME_RANDOM_TYPING
commandkey 1
)
(Save and exit when done)
Because there is a bug in the start/stop script open the /etc/init.d/chronyd
nano -w /etc/init.d/chronyd
Look for the following line
PIDFILE=`awk '/^ *pidfile/{print $2}' "${CFGFILE}"`
(in the "checkconfig()" function in the "else" part) Replace this line with the following
PIDFILE=/var/run/chronyd.pid
(Atleast if you didn't change it in the configuration (not very likely))
(Save and exit when done)
Then add chrony to the boot list
rc-update add chronyd default
If you run a firewall (most likely) make sure the NTP Port (UDP 123) is open (atleast) for the NTP servers you want to connect to.
[edit] Starting Chrony
To start Chrony run:
/etc/init.d/chronyd start
(Note if you have added chrony to the boot list this is an one time exercise)
[edit] Finishing Up
That is it ! Now your system should always have the proper time without anymore action from your part. You should check from time to time your log files to make sure it works oke (maybe you need to add or remove NTP servers etc). But for now ... sit back and relax your work is done :P
--DouweQuerty 11:41, 18 September 2006 (UTC)
