1 \input texinfo @c -*-texinfo-*-
4 @settitle ntpd: Network Time Protocol (NTP) Daemon User's Manual
5 @include ../sntp/include/version.texi
10 This file documents the use of the NTP Project's ntpd, a program for
15 * ntpd: (ntpd). NTP Daemon program
19 @title ntpd: Network Time Protocol (NTP) Daemon User's Manual
20 @subtitle ntpd, version @value{VERSION}, @value{UPDATED}
21 @c @author Max @email{foo@ntp.org}
25 @c @vskip 0pt plus 1filll
27 @node Top, ntpd Description, (dir), (dir)
28 @top ntpd: Network Time Protocol (NTP) Daemon User Manual
30 The @code{ntpd} program is an operating system daemon that synchronizes the
31 system clock to remote NTP time servers or local reference clocks.
32 It is a complete implementation of NTP version 4 defined by RFC-5905, but
33 also retains compatible with version 3 defined by RFC-1305 and versions
34 1 and 2, defined by RFC-1059 and RFC-1119, respectively.
35 The program can operate in any of several modes, including client/server,
36 symmetric and broadcast modes, and with both symmetric-key and public-key
39 This document applies to version @value{VERSION} of @code{ntpd}.
44 * ntpd Description:: Description
45 * ntpd Invocation:: Invoking ntpd
49 @node ntpd Description
50 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
53 The @code{ntpd} program ordinarily requires
54 a configuration file described at @ref{ntp.conf}.
55 This configuration file contains configuration commands described on
56 the pages listed above.
57 However a client can discover remote servers and configure them
59 This makes it possible to deploy a fleet of workstations without
60 specifying configuration details specific to the local environment.
62 The @code{ntpd} program normally operates continuously while adjusting the
63 system time and frequency, but in some cases this might not be
65 With the @code{-q} option @code{ntpd} operates as in continuous mode, but
66 exits just after setting the clock for the first time.
67 Most applications will probably want to specify the @code{iburst}
68 option with the @code{server} command.
69 With this option an initial volley of messages is exchanged to
70 groom the data and set the clock in about ten seconds' time.
71 If nothing is heard after a few minutes' time,
72 the daemon times out and exits without setting the clock.
74 @include invoke-ntpd.texi
77 @comment node-name, next, previous, up
80 @multitable @columnfractions .23 .23 .05 .15
81 @headitem What @tab Default @tab Flag @tab Option
82 @item configuration file
83 @tab @code{/etc/ntp.conf}
90 @item leapseconds file
105 @tab @code{includefile}
106 @item statistics path
111 @tab @code{/usr/local/etc}