This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of system architecture. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A system administrator notices that the server's clock is consistently off by several minutes. Which service should be used to synchronize the time with an external time source?
ntpd
ntpd is the standard NTP daemon for time synchronization.
timed
Why wrong: timed is not a standard time synchronization service.
chronyd
Why wrong: chronyd is a time synchronization service, but ntpd is the traditional choice.
systemd-timesyncd
Why wrong: timesyncd is a lightweight time sync service, but ntpd is more commonly referenced.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
ntpd
The Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon (ntpd) is the traditional and widely used service for synchronizing a server's clock with an external time source. It continuously adjusts the system time by communicating with NTP servers, compensating for clock drift and network delays to maintain accurate time. This makes ntpd the correct choice for resolving a consistent clock offset of several minutes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
ntpd
Why this is correct
ntpd is the standard NTP daemon for time synchronization.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
timed
Why it's wrong here
timed is not a standard time synchronization service.
chronyd
Why it's wrong here
chronyd is a time synchronization service, but ntpd is the traditional choice.
systemd-timesyncd
Why it's wrong here
timesyncd is a lightweight time sync service, but ntpd is more commonly referenced.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse chronyd (a modern alternative) with ntpd, but LPIC-1 traditionally expects ntpd as the standard answer for time synchronization, even though chronyd is also correct in practice—the exam tests knowledge of the classic service name.
Detailed technical explanation
ntpd uses the NTP protocol (RFC 5905) to synchronize time with a hierarchy of stratum servers, employing algorithms like the Marzullo and intersection algorithms to filter out false tickers and select the best time source. It can adjust the clock gradually by slewing (changing the clock frequency) or stepping (jumping the time) if the offset exceeds a threshold (typically 128 ms). In real-world scenarios, a server with a consistent offset of several minutes would require ntpd to step the clock, which it does by default if the offset is large, but administrators often configure 'tinker panic 0' to allow larger steps.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
System Architecture — This question tests System Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: ntpd — The Network Time Protocol (NTP) daemon (ntpd) is the traditional and widely used service for synchronizing a server's clock with an external time source. It continuously adjusts the system time by communicating with NTP servers, compensating for clock drift and network delays to maintain accurate time. This makes ntpd the correct choice for resolving a consistent clock offset of several minutes.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.
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