how to configure ntp server on ubuntu 24.10?

What you will read?

1 Step 1: Install the NTP Package
2 Step 2: Configure NTP Server Settings
3 Step 3: Restart NTP Service
4 Step 4: Open Port 123/UDP (If Using Firewall)
5 Step 5: Verify the Server is Working

Setting up your own NTP (Network Time Protocol) server is essential if you want to sync time across multiple machines in a private network. Here’s how to configure it on Ubuntu 24.10.

Step 1: Install the NTP Package

sudo apt update
sudo apt install ntp -y

This installs the traditional ntpd service which runs as a background daemon.

Step 2: Configure NTP Server Settings

Edit the main config file:

sudo nano /etc/ntp.conf

You’ll see default pool servers like:

pool 0.ubuntu.pool.ntp.org iburst
pool 1.ubuntu.pool.ntp.org iburst

You can leave these if you want your NTP server to sync with the internet.

If you want a fully local NTP server, comment those out and add a local clock fallback:

# Local NTP server (fallback)
server 127.127.1.0
fudge 127.127.1.0 stratum 10

Now allow your LAN clients to access it. Find this section:

restrict -4 default kod notrap nomodify nopeer noquery

And add or modify to allow your local subnet (example for 192.168.1.0/24):

restrict 192.168.1.0 mask 255.255.255.0 nomodify notrap

Save and exit.

Step 3: Restart NTP Service

sudo systemctl restart ntp

Check status:

sudo systemctl status ntp

Step 4: Open Port 123/UDP (If Using Firewall)

sudo ufw allow 123/udp

Verify it’s open:

sudo ufw status

Step 5: Verify the Server is Working

Run:

ntpq -p

You should see a list of time sources or the local clock.

To test from a client machine:

ntpdate -q your-server-ip

It should return the offset and delay.