Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3: System Administration Guide
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# Chapter 31. Date and Time Configuration

The Time and Date Properties Tool allows the user to change the system date and time, to configure the time zone used by the system, and to setup the Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon to synchronize the system clock with a time server.

You must be running the X Window System and have root privileges to use the tool. To start the application from the desktop go to the Main Menu Button => System Settings => Date & Time or type the command `redhat-config-date` at a shell prompt (for example, in an XTerm or a GNOME terminal).

# 31.1. Time and Date Properties

As shown in Figure 31-1, the first tabbed window that appears is for configuring the system date and time and the NTP daemon (`ntpd`).

Figure 31-1. Time and Date Properties

To change the date, use the arrows to the left and right of the month to change the month, use the arrows to the left and right of the year to change the year, and click on the day of the week to change the day of the week. Changes take place after the OK button is clicked.

To change the time, use the up and down arrow buttons beside the Hour, Minute, and Second in the Time section. Changes take place until after the OK button is clicked.

The Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon synchronizes the system clock with a remote time server or time source (such as a satellite). The application allows you to configure an NTP daemon to synchronize your system clock with a remote server. To enable this feature, select Enable Network Time Protocol. This enables the Server pulldown menu. You can choose one of the predefined servers or type a server name in the pulldown menu. Your system does not start synchronizing with the NTP server until you click OK. After you click OK, the configuration is be saved and the NTP daemon is started (or restarted if it is already running).

Clicking the OK button applies any changes made to the date and time, the NTP daemon settings, and the time zone settings. It also exits the program.

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