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How to configure NTP

What is NTP?

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) synchronizes your device with multiple time servers around the world. You can configure them manually or automatically. Accurate timekeeping is essential for logging, certificates, and many services that rely on consistent timestamps.  

On Windows

  1. Open the Control Panel.

  1. Go to Clock and Region.

  1. Click Date and Time.

  1. Select the Internet Time tab.

  1. Click Change settings…

  1. Update the Server value.

- ntp1.polisystems.ch (Germany) - ntp2.polisystems.ch (Switzerland)

All our machines are synchronized with multiple atomic clocks in Switzerland and Germany, so you can use either server.

  1. Click Update now, then OK.

Your Windows machine now keeps reliable time.

On Linux

On Linux, configuration via the CLI is straightforward.

  1. Install the NTP package if needed:

bash apt install ntp -y # or yum install ntp -y

  1. Edit /etc/ntp.conf:

bash nano /etc/ntp.conf

  1. Update the server lines:

bash server ntp1.polisystems.ch server ntp2.polisystems.ch

  1. Restart the service:

bash service ntp restart

You can also run ntpdate -u ntp1.polisystems.ch for a one-time sync if you need an immediate correction.

On macOS

  1. Open System Preferences > Date & Time (or System Settings on recent versions).
  2. Click the lock to unlock the pane if required.
  3. Enable Set date and time automatically.
  4. Enter the IP or DNS addresses of your preferred time servers, separated by commas, for example: ntp1.polisystems.ch., ntp2.polisystems.ch.

Final notes

Your devices are now synced and ready to keep accurate time.

Resources for macOS: https://www.ctrl.blog/entry/tutorial-macos-ntp-config.html

© Poli Systems GmbH