lubuntu-desktop requires the ntp daemon, this creates a conflict with other time synchronization tools such as chrony

[jespestana]

Dear developers of the lubuntu-desktop package,

I am not experienced on bug reporting. Let me know if additional testing would be required. For instance, I could install lubuntu on a virtual machine, to make the bug easily reproducible. Let me know if this would useful, or just a waste of time.

I am working with a small computing platform as part of my research, an Odroid XU3. For information about this platform you can check this website:
http://www.hardkernel.com/main/products/prdt_info.php?g_code=G140448267127
Basically it is a small computer that is equipped with a relatively powerful ARM processor.

My issue, is that for my work I need to synchronize the clocks among various machines connected through LAN and WLAN networks. For this purpose we have been using quite successfully "chrony", https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/chrony . The problem is that "chrony" (sudo apt-get install chrony) requires the uninstallation of the "ntp" package. Then, because "ntp" is required by "lubuntu-desktop", we also need to remove the lubuntu GUI.

Then, the bug would be "easily reproducible":

- Clean install of lubuntu on an Odroid XU3
- Go to terminal: sudo apt-get install chrony
- This requires the removal of ntp.
- The removal of ntp causes the removal of lubuntu-desktop

So my question is, is it be possible to run lubuntu-desktop without ntp, or alternatively with chrony? If any of these are possible, how can it be achieved?

I hope that I could clarify the issue that I am facing with lubuntu-desktop, ntp and chrony,
Thanks a lot for your help!
Best regards,

Jesús Pestana

[ԜаӀtеr Ⅼарсһуnѕkі (wxl)]

First off, thanks for the first bug report!

I'm surprised to find that ntp is a direct requirement of lubuntu-desktop. I can see if that needs to be the case. However, it certainly doesn't hurt and doesn't affect your situation.

All you have to do is let lubuntu-desktop go away. I know it sounds weird but it's only an index file. It SOUNDS bad to remove it, but it's not bad. One thing to keep in mind is that lubuntu-desktop includes all the dependencies and if those change, it would be wise to add it again. That being said, you might want to do that when a new version comes out. Meanwhile, just remove lubuntu-desktop.

I would think an alternate solution would be to just stop the ntp daemon with `sudo service ntp stop`. A more permanent solution would be removing the startup of the daemon with `sudo update-rc.d -f ntp remove`. At least I don't *think* that changed with the addition of systemd.

Since this is more of a support issue, I'm marking it invalid. If you need further help, feel free to email <email address hidden> or visit us on #lubuntu on Freenode IRC. Thanks again!

[jespestana (jespestana)]

Yeah, I did not know were to direct the bug/question. So, first I asked here:
https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/lubuntu-meta/+question/274039

But somebody suggested to add it as a bug...

Anyway, thanks a lot for your help! It was very informative, and I think that it is a great solution!