Chrony for Ubuntu 24.04 Server

Install Chrony on Ubuntu 24.04 server.

This isn't a demo - This installer is intended for real servers.
If you want ntpd nostalgia, this is NOT your script.

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Why this installer exists

Ubuntu 24.04 retired ntpd, ntpdate, and systemd-timesyncd as primary time sync mechanisms.
Chrony is now the only supported, sane, and future-proof NTP client.

This installer:

• Follows Canonical’s current direction
• Avoids deprecated packages and aliases
• Gives you deterministic, predictable time sync

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What this installer does

✔ Installs Chrony (Ubuntu default)
✔ Enables and starts the Chrony service
✔ Configures pool.ntp.org servers explicitly
✔ Forces an initial clock sync (makestep)
✔ Leaves legacy NTP components untouched (because they shouldn’t exist)

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What this installer does NOT do

It won’t stop you from running the script without reading the documentation like there’s no tomorrow. Skip the README, and whatever happens next is your headache, not a bug report.

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1. Prepare the system

sudo apt update -y

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2. Download

git clone https://git.x-files.dk/server/chrony-ubuntu.git

cd chrony-ubuntu

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3. Install

sudo ./chrony-install

This configures the machine to use reliable upstream time servers and enables sync automatically.

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4. Verify Synchronization

chronyc sources -v

If the peers list is present and updating — you're synced and good to go.

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Post-Install

Nothing else required — time sync is automatic.

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Client vs Server mode (important)

This installer always installs Chrony, which on Ubuntu 24.04 replaces both:

• legacy ntp-client
• legacy ntpd server setups

Default behavior (Client only)

Out of the box, Chrony runs in client-only mode:

• Syncs time from upstream servers
• Does not serve time to other machines
• Does not listen on UDP/123

This is the functional equivalent of an old “NTP client” setup.

Optional: Serve time to other machines (LAN / offline networks)

If this machine should also act as a local NTP server, only two lines are required in /etc/chrony/chrony.conf:

allow 192.168.0.0/24
local stratum 10

What these lines do:

• allow — permits NTP clients from the specified network
• local stratum 10 — provides a safe fallback clock if upstream sources disappear

Restart Chrony:

systemctl restart chrony

If a firewall is enabled:

ufw allow from 192.168.0.0/24 to any port 123 proto udp

Chrony will now act as both client and server, fully replacing the Ubuntu 22.04 NTP server pattern.

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More Information

More guides and documentation can be found on wiki.x-files.dk

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License

Licensed under the MIT License.

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