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Resolve Clock Drift: Fixing Timezone Issues After DST with systemd-timesyncd

May 13, 2025

Fixing Wrong Timezone After Daylight Saving Change in Systemd-Timesyncd

As technology continues to evolve, the importance of accurate timekeeping in computer systems cannot be overstated. Daylight Saving Time (DST) changes can lead to discrepancies in system time, particularly in environments using systemd-timesyncd for time synchronization. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive approach to fixing wrong timezones after a DST change, ensuring your systems remain reliable and accurate.

Understanding Systemd-Timesyncd

systemd-timesyncd is a lightweight time synchronization service that is part of the systemd suite. It is designed to synchronize the system clock with remote NTP (Network Time Protocol) servers. However, it does not handle timezone changes automatically, which can lead to issues during DST transitions.

Configuration Steps

To fix the wrong timezone after a DST change in systemd-timesyncd, follow these actionable steps:

Step 1: Check Current Timezone

First, verify the current timezone setting on your system:

timedatectl status

This command will display the current timezone and whether the system clock is synchronized.

Step 2: Set the Correct Timezone

If the timezone is incorrect, you can set it using the following command:

sudo timedatectl set-timezone 

Replace “ with the appropriate timezone string (e.g., `America/New_York`). You can find a list of available timezones in the `/usr/share/zoneinfo` directory.

Step 3: Restart Systemd-Timesyncd

After setting the correct timezone, restart the systemd-timesyncd service to ensure it picks up the new settings:

sudo systemctl restart systemd-timesyncd

Step 4: Verify Changes

Finally, check the status again to confirm that the timezone is now correct:

timedatectl status

Ensure that the output reflects the updated timezone and that the system clock is synchronized.

Practical Examples

Consider a scenario where a server located in New York experiences a DST change. After the change, the server’s time appears to be one hour behind. By following the steps outlined above, the administrator can quickly adjust the timezone to `America/New_York`, restart the service, and verify that the time is now accurate.

Best Practices

  • Regularly check and update your system’s timezone settings, especially before and after DST changes.
  • Use NTP servers that are reliable and geographically close to your location for better accuracy.
  • Automate timezone checks and adjustments using scripts to minimize manual intervention.

Case Studies and Statistics

According to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), incorrect time settings can lead to significant issues in data integrity and system performance. Organizations that implemented automated time synchronization reported a 30% reduction in time-related errors.

Conclusion

Accurate timekeeping is crucial for the stability and performance of computer systems, especially during Daylight Saving Time changes. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can effectively fix wrong timezone settings in systemd-timesyncd. Remember to regularly verify your timezone settings and consider implementing best practices to enhance your system’s reliability. With these actionable insights, you can ensure that your systems remain synchronized and efficient, minimizing the risk of time-related issues.

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