---
title: About the ntp_conf Resource
platform: linux
---

# ntp_conf

Use the `ntp_conf` Chef InSpec audit resource to test the synchronization settings defined in the `ntp.conf` file. This file is typically located at `/etc/ntp.conf`.

<br>

## Availability

### Installation

This resource is distributed along with Chef InSpec itself. You can use it automatically.

### Version

This resource first became available in v1.0.0 of InSpec.

## Syntax

An `ntp_conf` resource block declares the synchronization settings that should be tested:

    describe ntp_conf('path') do
      its('setting_name') { should eq 'value' }
    end

where

* `'setting_name'` is a synchronization setting defined in the `ntp.conf` file
* `('path')` is the non-default path to the `ntp.conf` file
* `{ should eq 'value' }` is the value that is expected

<br>

## Examples

The following examples show how to use this Chef InSpec audit resource.

### Test for clock drift against named servers

    describe ntp_conf do
      its('driftfile') { should eq '/var/lib/ntp/ntp.drift' }
      its('server') do
        should eq [
          '0.ubuntu.pool.ntp.org',
          '1.ubuntu.pool.ntp.org',
          '2.ubuntu.pool.ntp.org'
        ] 
      end
    end

<br>

## Matchers

This resource matches any service that is listed in the `ntp.conf` file. For a full list of available matchers, please visit our [matchers page](https://www.inspec.io/docs/reference/matchers/).

    its('server') { should_not eq nil }

or:

    its('restrict') { should include '-4 default kod notrap nomodify nopeer noquery'}

For example:

    describe ntp_conf do
      its('server') { should_not eq nil }
      its('restrict') { should include '-4 default kod notrap nomodify nopeer noquery'}
    end