In time synchronization troubleshooting, which step verifies that you are using a valid time source?

In time synchronization troubleshooting, which step verifies that you are using a valid time source?

• A. Confirm the system is configured to set its time from a valid NTP server
• B. Change to a different NTP server
• C. Open port 123 on the firewall
• D. Reboot

Answer: (A)

Time synchronization hinges on pointing the clock at a known, trustworthy time source. The step that best tests this is confirming that the system is configured to pull time from a valid NTP server. By inspecting the configuration (for example, the NTP client settings) and verifying that one or more legitimate servers are defined, you ensure the host is actually using a proper source. You can further verify by checking the running NTP state (such as which peers are listed and their reachability) with commands like ntpq -p or chronyc sources. If the configuration shows an invalid or missing server, you fix it so the system will contact a valid source. Other options don’t directly verify the source itself. Changing to a different NTP server might be a useful step if you discover the current one is bad, but it assumes you already know a good alternative. Opening port 123 on the firewall only ensures traffic can reach an NTP server; it doesn’t confirm the server’s validity. Rebooting restarts services but doesn’t verify or establish a valid time source.

Time synchronization hinges on pointing the clock at a known, trustworthy time source. The step that best tests this is confirming that the system is configured to pull time from a valid NTP server. By inspecting the configuration (for example, the NTP client settings) and verifying that one or more legitimate servers are defined, you ensure the host is actually using a proper source. You can further verify by checking the running NTP state (such as which peers are listed and their reachability) with commands like ntpq -p or chronyc sources. If the configuration shows an invalid or missing server, you fix it so the system will contact a valid source.

Other options don’t directly verify the source itself. Changing to a different NTP server might be a useful step if you discover the current one is bad, but it assumes you already know a good alternative. Opening port 123 on the firewall only ensures traffic can reach an NTP server; it doesn’t confirm the server’s validity. Rebooting restarts services but doesn’t verify or establish a valid time source.