> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.harness.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.harness.io/harness-platform/3.0/harness-platform-resources/settings/clock-sychronization.md).

# Clock synchronization

This topic provides Harness' recommended settings for Network Time Protocol (NTP), a critical aspect of time synchronization within information management systems.

* **Control:** Ensuring synchronization across all clocks within an organization's information management systems is paramount. It's essential to integrate these clocks into a unified reference time source. This centralized approach not only streamlines operations but also mitigates discrepancies that may arise from disparate time sources, thereby enhancing overall system reliability and consistency.
* **Implementation:** Harness advocates for establishing a standardized reference time within the organization. Defining a common time source ensures coherence across various operations and applications. By establishing a clear reference point, organizations can maintain consistency in timekeeping practices, facilitating seamless coordination and communication across different systems and teams.

#### Recommended NTP configuration for Harness Delegate <a href="#recommended-ntp-configuration-for-harness-delegate" id="recommended-ntp-configuration-for-harness-delegate"></a>

When configuring NTP for Harness Delegate, ensuring accurate time synchronization is crucial for various operational tasks. Here are two recommended options:

* Use your local NTP server: Leveraging a local NTP server ensures reliable time synchronization within your network environment.
* Use [Google Public NTP](https://developers.google.com/time): Google Public NTP provides a robust and widely accessible time synchronization service, offering high accuracy and availability.

#### Recommended NTP configuration for Harness Self-Managed Enterprise Edition <a href="#recommended-ntp-configuration-for-harness-self-managed-enterprise-edition" id="recommended-ntp-configuration-for-harness-self-managed-enterprise-edition"></a>

Maintaining precise time synchronization is vital for the optimal functioning of Harness Self-Managed Enterprise Edition. Consider the following recommendations for NTP configuration:

* Use your local NTP server: Utilizing a local NTP server offers localized time synchronization, ensuring consistency and reliability within your infrastructure.
* Use [Google Public NTP](https://developers.google.com/time): Google Public NTP presents a dependable option for time synchronization, delivering accurate time information across diverse network environments.

#### Configure NTP for a delegate running on Linux <a href="#configure-ntp-for-a-delegate-running-on-linux" id="configure-ntp-for-a-delegate-running-on-linux"></a>

Most Linux distributions use `systemd`, which comes with NTP for clock synchronization. You can verify `systemd` by running `timedatectl`.

**Install the NTP service**

1. If NTP is not present on your host system, you can use `yum`, `apt-get`, or `dnf` to install the NTP service as per your OS. You can also use Chrony, which has a flexible implementation of NTP.

   You must have root permissions to install the application. Installation varies slightly depending on which Linux distribution you use:

   ```
    sudo apt-get install ntp  # for Debian/Ubuntu
    sudo yum install ntp      # for CentOS/RHEL
    sudo dnf install ntp      # for Fedora
   ```

   NTP is configured using a `ntp.conf` configuration file. The file is generally located in the `/etc/` directory.
2. You can add multiple NTP servers in the `ntp.conf` file in the format below.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p>Add the <code>prefer</code> option to one <code>server</code> command only in the <code>ntp.conf</code> file.</p></div>

   ```
   server <YOUR_PREFERRED_IP_ADDRESS> [prefer]
   ```

   ```
   server <YOUR_PREFERRED_IP_ADDRESS> prefer # Local NTP server IP address
   server ntp-time.for.mydomain
   ```

   Below are some useful commands to enable, start, restart, and stop the NTP service.

   ```
   sudo systemctl enable ntpd
   sudo systemctl start ntpd
   sudo systemctl restart ntpd
   sudo systemctl stop ntpd
   ```
3. You can run the following to list configured servers and their associated synchronization performance characteristics.

   ```
   ntpq -p
   ```