In this recipe, we will learn how to synchronize the system clock with an external time server using the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and the chrony suite. From the need to time-stamp documents, e-mails, and log files, to securing, running, and debugging a network, or to simply interact with shared devices and services, everything on your server is dependent on maintaining an accurate system clock, and it is the purpose of this recipe to show you how this can be achieved.
To complete this recipe, you will require a working installation of the CentOS 7 operating system with root privileges, a console-based text editor of your choice, and a connection to the Internet to facilitate downloading additional packages.