{
  "id": 18349118,
  "title": "An SBC runs my home's time server, and every device finally agrees on what time it is",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/an-sbc-runs-my-homes-time-server-and-every-device-finally-agrees-on",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-05T18:00:21.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "XDA Developers",
    "slug": "xda-developers",
    "url": "https://www.xda-developers.com/an-sbc-runs-my-homes-time-server-and-every-device-finally-agrees-on-what-time-it-is/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The author, a self-hosting enthusiast, set up a local Network Time Protocol (NTP) server in their home lab to ensure all devices in their tinkering arsenal sync to the same clock. The author opted for a Radxa X4 single-board computer with a dedicated Real Time Clock (RTC) module, as it provided better offline timekeeping capabilities compared to their previous server. After installing Chrony, a time synchronization utility compatible with RTC modules, on the Radxa X4, the author edited the Chrony configuration file to set the server's IP address range and RTC synchronization. The author then restarted the Chrony service and verified its functionality using chronyc tracking and chronyc sources -v commands. The local NTP server improved synchronization across server nodes, containers, and backup rigs, allowing for precise interval snapshot deliveries and uniform timestamps in monitoring and logging tools. The author plans to enhance the server's accuracy in the future, potentially by incorporating a GPS/GNSS receiver module or a Precision Time Protocol (PTP)-capable Network Card.",
  "summary": "My tiny tinkering companion solved the timekeeping problem in my home lab",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}