chronyc

Chronyc is a command line tool used for managing and monitoring the Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon on Unix-like operating systems. It allows users to easily interact with the NTP daemon, called chronyd, through a command line interface.

As a timekeeping tool, Chronyc provides a range of functionalities, including adjusting and monitoring the system clock. It can query remote NTP servers to synchronize the system time, display information about the current system time, and calculate clock drift rates.

One of the key features of Chronyc is its ability to produce detailed reports on the performance and accuracy of the system's timekeeping. It can generate statistics on clock synchronization, server response times, and network delays. These reports are valuable for troubleshooting and monitoring time synchronization accuracy.

Chronyc also supports various authentication methods to ensure the security of time synchronization. It can utilize symmetric key encryption, as well as the public key infrastructure (PKI) for verifying the authenticity and integrity of NTP packets.

With Chronyc, users can configure various parameters of the NTP daemon, such as setting up different NTP servers, defining access control rules, and enabling or disabling specific features. This flexibility allows administrators to tailor the timekeeping behavior according to their requirements.

The tool provides a wide range of command options to manipulate and view different aspects of the system clock. Users can query the current time, the number of sources used for synchronization, and information about these sources.

Chronyc also has the capability to correct small systematic errors in the system clock frequency. This feature is known as "slew mode" and helps to gradually adjust the clock frequency without abrupt changes.

In addition to CLI usage, Chronyc also offers an interactive mode where users can execute commands and view the output in a more dynamic and iterative manner.

Overall, Chronyc is a powerful command line tool for managing NTP synchronization, monitoring timekeeping performance, and configuring various aspects of the NTP daemon. Its versatility and extensive features make it an essential tool for maintaining accurate and reliable time synchronization in a Unix-like environment.