rdate(8) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
On Solnix, rdate is the illumos rdate at /usr/bin/rdate. It takes only a hostname and always sets the clock. The OpenBSD and NetBSD versions accept options to print only, skew gradually, or force IPv4 or IPv6, and the Solnix page documents none of these.
The manual pages
- Solnix: rdate(8) from
pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man· illumos.org - OpenBSD: rdate(8) 8.0
- NetBSD: rdate(8) 11.0
What Solnix runs
A default Solnix system runs the illumos rdate at /usr/bin/rdate. /usr/ucb/rdate is also shipped, but the bundle does not describe it. The page says setting the time needs the authorization solaris.system.date.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | no options | The Solnix synopsis is rdate hostname, with no options. OpenBSD documents -4, -6, -a, -n, -p, -s and -v. NetBSD documents -4, -6, -a, -p and -s. Scripts written for the BSDs that pass any of these flags have no documented equivalent on Solnix.Source: Solnix rdate(8) SYNOPSIS; OpenBSD rdate(8) SYNOPSIS, options; NetBSD rdate(8) SYNOPSIS, options |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | print only (-p) | On OpenBSD and NetBSD, -p prints the remote time without setting it. The Solnix page documents no such option. It says rdate sets the local date and time from the named host.Source: OpenBSD rdate(8) -p; NetBSD rdate(8) -p; Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | gradual adjustment (-a) | OpenBSD and NetBSD -a uses adjtime(2) to skew the clock gradually instead of jumping. The Solnix page documents no gradual mode.Source: OpenBSD rdate(8) -a; NetBSD rdate(8) -a; Solnix rdate(8) SYNOPSIS |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | output | OpenBSD and NetBSD rdate display the time and set it, and -s suppresses the display. The Solnix page does not say whether rdate prints the time.Source: OpenBSD rdate(8) DESCRIPTION, -s; NetBSD rdate(8) DESCRIPTION, -s; Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | IPv4/IPv6 selection | OpenBSD and NetBSD have -4 and -6 to restrict address family. The Solnix page says only that rdate is IPv6-enabled (ip6(4P)) and documents no flag to choose a family.Source: OpenBSD rdate(8) -4, -6; NetBSD rdate(8) -4, -6; Solnix rdate(8) USAGE |
| OpenBSD | time protocol | OpenBSD rdate uses SNTP/NTP (RFC 5905) by default and -n selects it. The Solnix page says requests are answered by the host's "time" service and does not name the protocol or an RFC.Source: OpenBSD rdate(8) DESCRIPTION, -n; Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION |
| NetBSD | time protocol | NetBSD rdate uses the RFC 868 protocol, usually a built-in inetd(8) service. Solnix also relies on the remote "time" service. The Solnix page does not name RFC 868. Source: NetBSD rdate(8) DESCRIPTION; Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION |
| all four | enabling the server side | The Solnix page gives the commands to enable the remote time service: svcadm enable time:stream and svcadm enable time:dgram. The OpenBSD page only refers to inetd(8). The NetBSD page says the protocol is usually a built-in inetd(8) service. Source: Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION; OpenBSD rdate(8) SEE ALSO; NetBSD rdate(8) DESCRIPTION |
| OpenBSD, NetBSD | privilege | The Solnix page says you need the authorization solaris.system.date. The OpenBSD and NetBSD pages do not describe the privilege needed. Source: Solnix rdate(8) DESCRIPTION; OpenBSD rdate(8); NetBSD rdate(8) |
| Linux, FreeBSD | no counterpart page | The bundle has no Linux or FreeBSD rdate page, so no comparison is made with them. Source: Bundle header (counterparts: OpenBSD, NetBSD only) |
Standards
- POSIX: rdate is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Call rdate with just a hostname, with no options. That is the only form the Solnix page documents. Do not rely on
-p,-a,-s,-4or-6being present. - Do not assume a remote host runs the time service. On Solnix hosts, enable it with svcadm enable time:stream and time:dgram.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.