LFCS Operation of Running Systems Practice Question
A Linux server has its time zone set to UTC, but the administrator wants the system clock to be synchronized by an internal NTP server at 10.0.0.10. The system uses systemd and chrony is already installed. Which command should the administrator run to configure the NTP server and make it persistent?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse chrony configuration with time zone changes or using chronyc interactively instead of editing the persistent configuration file.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Edit /etc/chrony.conf to include 'server 10.0.0.10 iburst' and restart chronyd
Configuring chrony requires editing its configuration file, usually /etc/chrony.conf, to specify the NTP server, and then restarting the chronyd service to apply the changes. This makes the configuration persistent. The other options either change the time zone, use an incorrect chronyc subcommand, or attempt to use the wrong service, none of which set the NTP server as needed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
timedatectl set-timezone America/New_York
Why it's wrong here
This changes the time zone but does not configure the NTP server. The scenario requires synchronization with an internal NTP server, not a time zone change. The system time zone is already UTC and is not the issue. This command would alter the displayed time but leave the NTP configuration unchanged, so it fails to meet the requirement.
- ✗
chronyc sources add 10.0.0.10
Why it's wrong here
chronyc sources displays the current time sources but does not add a server. The 'add' subcommand is not valid for chronyc sources. This command would produce an error or list sources, not configure the NTP server. It is not the correct way to set a persistent NTP server in chrony.
- ✓
Edit /etc/chrony.conf to include 'server 10.0.0.10 iburst' and restart chronyd
Why this is correct
The correct method is to edit the chrony configuration file, typically /etc/chrony.conf, and add a server directive pointing to 10.0.0.10. The 'iburst' option speeds up initial synchronization. After saving the file, restarting the chronyd service applies the change and ensures it persists across reboots. This directly fulfills the administrator's goal.
- ✗
systemctl enable --now ntp.service
Why it's wrong here
This attempts to enable and start the ntp.service, which is part of the deprecated ntpd package, not chrony. The system uses chrony, so starting ntp.service would likely fail or conflict. It does not configure the NTP server address, and it is not the correct service for chrony-based time synchronization. Thus, it does not meet the requirement.
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JA
Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official Linux Foundation exam blueprint
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.