rdate ☆
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Description:
Set the system's date from a remote host
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: System utilities
Tags: time-sync networking system-utility cli rfc868
Install: brew install rdate
About:
Rdate is a simple command-line utility designed to synchronize the system clock with a remote time server. It retrieves the current time from an RFC 868 protocol host and sets the local system date and time accordingly. This tool provides a lightweight alternative to full NTP implementations for straightforward time synchronization tasks.
Key Features:
  • Simple RFC 868 protocol implementation
  • Lightweight and minimal dependencies
  • Command-line interface for easy scripting
  • Direct system time setting capability
Use Cases:
  • Initial system clock synchronization on boot
  • Manual time correction on isolated networks
  • Scripting and automation for time-sensitive tasks
Alternatives:
  • ntp – NTP is a full-featured suite offering higher precision and continuous synchronization, whereas rdate provides a simple one-shot time set.
  • chrony – Chrony is an advanced NTP implementation optimized for variable network conditions and intermittent connectivity, offering more robustness than rdate.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2025 1:22am 0 VERSION_BUMP 4c0441ca
Sep 14, 2024 11:05am 0 VERSION_BUMP c55169df
Nov 26, 2022 1:07am 0 VERSION_BUMP f2168988
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