Skip to content

Viewing Time Synchronization State with time_info

The time_info command in the ChromeOS Shell displays the current synchronization state of the system time. This is useful for ensuring that the device’s clock is accurately aligned with network time servers.

Usage

time_info

Description

  • Purpose: The command provides a snapshot of the time service's status, detailing synchronization with network time servers and any detected issues.
  • Output: Includes information about the time source, synchronization success, and any errors encountered.

Examples

Display Time Synchronization State

time_info

This outputs the current time synchronization status, including whether the system is synced with an NTP server.

Additional Information

  • Network Dependency: Accurate synchronization typically requires an active network connection to reach NTP servers.
  • Troubleshooting: Use this command to diagnose issues with timekeeping, such as incorrect system clocks or synchronization errors.
  • Complementary Commands: Combine with set_time to manually adjust the time if synchronization fails.

Best Practices

  1. Verify Network Connection

  2. Ensure the device is connected to a network before running time_info to check synchronization status.

  3. Monitor Regularly

  4. Periodically use time_info to confirm that the system clock remains accurate, especially in enterprise environments.

  5. Address Synchronization Issues

  6. If errors are detected, troubleshoot network connectivity or NTP server configurations.

The time_info command is an essential diagnostic tool for managing system time accuracy on ChromeOS devices.