WHM Feature: Server Time

The Server Time feature of WHM enables you to set the time zone of your server. It also lets you synchronize its time with the time server of your network. You need to set your server to the correct time in order for your cPanel & WHM license to work accurately.

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Before we elaborate on how to set your server’s time zone, let us touch on the topic of servers, for the benefit of those who are not technically well-versed.

What is a Server?

A server can be either a device/computer hardware or a computer program (software) which is meant for providing service (functionality) to another program or device that is known as a client. It functions according to the client-server model. Various functionalities are provided by servers, which include sharing data or resources, performing computation, etc. There are many types of servers, such as file servers, database servers, mail servers, print servers, game servers, application servers, web servers etc.

Servers function on a request-response model, wherein a client sends a request to the server. The server subsequently performs some action and sends a relevant response to the client. This response usually contains some result or acknowledgement. When a computer is designated as “server-class hardware”, it implies that such a computer is specialized for running servers on it. The main role of any server involves data sharing, resource sharing and distribution of work. Let us understand it with the example of a web server.

Web Servers

A web server, which is a type of server, functions by accepting HTTP/ HTTPS requests. A web browser or a web crawler, which are the most common user agents, requests for a specific resource, and initiates communication. The server responds with that resource’s content or an error message. Resources that have been sent by the user agent can be accepted and stored by the server, if the configuration enables it. A web server can be either a single computer or an embedded system. Web servers are run on groups of computers, by websites that generate high volumes of traffic, in order to cater to the large number of requests. The resource that is sent by a web server can be a file that pre-exists and is available to the server. It could also be generated by another program which communicates with the server program. The former of these two is usually faster and could be cached more easily for repeated requests. On the other hand, a broader range of applications are supported by the latter. Stored files are incorporated, whenever possible, by websites which serve generated content.

Web servers are provided by web hosting companies, such as HTS Hosting, through their various plans. The files of websites are stored on these web servers and are delivered from there to the Internet connected devices of users in order to render web content accessible. The service of web hosting makes it possible. Through this service, web hosting companies provide server space, technologies and services for ensuring that websites are accessible over the Internet and are working without any problem. Web hosting can be of many types, such as shared, dedicated, reseller, cloud, VPS, and WordPress. The most efficient web hosting services are usually referred to as the “Best Shared Windows Hosting”, the “Best Dedicated Linux Hosting”, the “Top Reseller Hosting”, etc.

Now let us return to our main topic and describe the way in which you can set the time zone on your server.

Set the Time Zone of Your Server

You need to carry out the below-mentioned steps in order to set the time zone on your server.

• Select the appropriate time zone from the menu.

It is recommended that you set the time zone on your server to UTC (Universal Time, Coordinated). This enables servers from different time zones to interact with one another concurrently. It helps to prevent errors on your system that have to do with Daylight Savings Time.

• Click Change Time Zone.

You can use your server’s GUI tools or the command line interface in the /etc/localtime file to change the time zone. You need to restart the cpsrvd daemon to ensure that the system reflects the change in the cPanel and WHM interfaces. You should run the following command, as the root user, for this purpose:

/usr/local/cpanel/scripts/restartsrv_cpsrvd

Synchronize Your Server’s Time with the Time Server

Your server could be synchronized to the time server of your network. This proves to be useful when your server’s time is not correct. If you need to synchronize your server’s time with the network time server, then you should click Sync Time with Time Server.

Source: https://www.htshosting.org/knowledge-base/server/193/whm-feature-server-time