You'll need to get the ntp package installed on your Linux box using whatever means is appropriate for your distribution. The Thinkpad I use to write this web site is running Redhat 7.2, so I have ntp-4.1.0-4 installed from RPM. Add the following to your /etc/ntp.conf file:
server ntp0.linx.net
server ntp1.linx.net
driftfile /etc/ntp/drift
With a bit of luck and a following wind, one of the following 3 scenarios should cover most people:
1. If your machine is running 24/7 and has a permanent connection to the Internet, type the command chkconfig --level 2345 ntpd on as root, then /usr/sbin/ntpdate ntp0.linx.net, and lastly by service ntpd start. Your system time will now be kept accurate for as long as the machine is powered up, and will automatically re-synchronise the next time it is rebooted.
2. If your machine has a permanent connection to the internet, but doesn't run 24/7, type the command chkconfig --level 2345 ntpd off as root, then /usr/sbin/ntpdate ntp0.linx.net to set the time initially. Add the command to the bottom of /etc/rc.d/rc.local - this script gets run at the very end of the bootup sequence, ensuring that the clock gets set accurately when you switch your machine on.
3. If your machine has a dial-up connection to the internet, type the command chkconfig --level 2345 ntpd off as root, then /usr/sbin/ntpdate ntp0.linx.net to set the time initially. Add the same command to the bottom of /etc/ppp/ip-up.local - this script gets run when a dial up connection has been successfully established.
