Time synchronization service (NTP)

Zentyal integrates ntpd [2] as its NTP server. NTP uses UDP port 123.

The recommended way of configuring the NTP parameters for your network clients is by using the Network configuration service (DHCP)

[2]NTPD: http://www.eecis.udel.edu/~mills/ntp/html/ntpd.html

Configuring an NTP server with Zentyal

Zentyal uses the NTP server to both, synchronize its own clock and offer this service on the network. It’s generally recommended to install and enable this service in most deployments.

Once you have enabled the module, you can check in System ‣ General that it is running and that the option to manually adjust the time is disabled. You still need to configure your time zone.

NTP module installed and enabled

NTP module installed and enabled

If you access to NTP, you can enable or disable the service and choose the external servers that you want to synchronize to. By default the list has already three preconfigured servers chosen from the NTP project [3].

NTP configuration and external servers

NTP configuration and external servers

Once Zentyal is synchronized, you can offer your clock timing using the NTP service, generally, through DHCP. As always, you must not forget to check the firewall rules, keeping in mind that NTP is usually enabled only for internal networks.

[3]Official NTP servers: http://www.pool.ntp.org/en/