Ntpdate

{{primary sources|date=July 2014}}

{{Lowercase}}

{{Short description|Software to synchronize computer time}}

{{Infobox software

| name = ntpdate

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| developer = Harlan Stenn

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| latest release version = 4.2.6p5

| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2011|12|24}}

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| operating system = Unix

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| website = http://support.ntp.org/download

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ntpdate is a computer program used to quickly synchronize and set computers' date and time by querying a Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. It is available for a wide variety of unix-like operating systems.{{Cite web|url=https://linux.die.net/man/8/ntpdate|title=ntpdate(8): set date/time via NTP - Linux man page|website=linux.die.net|access-date=2020-04-12}}

The accuracy and reliability of ntpdate entirely depends on the accuracy and network link stability of the first server it connects with. As this inaccuracy can lead to a multitude of problems, the maintainers have decided to deprecate it in favor of only using the ntpd (network time protocol daemon) or a sntp (simple network time protocol) query.

{{cite web

| url = http://support.ntp.org/bin/view/Dev/DeprecatingNtpdate

| title = NTP.Org — Deprecating ntpdate

| author = Harlan Stenn

| quote = The combination of ntpd and sntp now implements the functions of ntpdate. As soon as a few remaining issues with sntp are resolved the ntpdate program will be retired.

| date = 2012-09-02

| accessdate = 2012-10-30

}}