ntpdate-debian

ntpdate-debian [options]

options
    These are passed directly to the ntpdate command. Common options include server addresses, verbosity settings, and more.

ntpdate-debian is a wrapper script around the ntpdate command. It is specifically designed for Debian-based systems to synchronize the system's date and time with Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers.

Unlike directly using ntpdate, this script incorporates Debian-specific configurations and error handling, often found within the /etc/default/ntpdate file. This allows for a smoother and more reliable NTP synchronization process within the Debian environment. The script manages the process of querying NTP servers, adjusting the system clock, and ensuring proper logging of events. It is often used during system startup or after extended periods of inactivity to correct clock drift.

It aims to provide a simple, robust, and reliable mechanism for time synchronization that adheres to Debian's system policies.

ntpdate is considered less accurate than the NTP daemon (ntpd) and can cause abrupt time jumps. For continuous time synchronization, ntpd or systemd-timesyncd are recommended.

The /etc/default/ntpdate file allows the user to configure the servers and options used by ntpdate-debian.
This file is a shell script that sets variables such as NTPDATE_USE_NTP_CONF, NTPDATE_HOSTS. These settings are used during execution.

ntpdate-debian provides more robust error handling than directly using ntpdate.
It tries different strategies to ensure proper time synchronization on Debian systems.

ntpdate was originally the standard method for synchronizing the system clock with NTP servers. The ntpdate-debian script was created as a Debian-specific wrapper to enhance integration and provide a more robust time synchronization experience on Debian systems, especially during boot or when a persistent time synchronization daemon is not running.

ntpdate(8), ntpd(8), systemd-timesyncd(8), date(1)