Linux Set Date and Time From a Command Prompt
Use the date command to display the current date and time or set the system date / time over ssh session. You can also run the date command from X terminal as root user.
| Tutorial details | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Easy (rss) |
| Root privileges | Yes |
| Requirements | None |
| Estimated completion time | 2m |
You must login as root user to use date command.
Linux Display Current Data and Time
Just type the date command:$ date
Sample outputs:
Wed Apr 23 10:32:59 CDT 2014
Linux Display The Hardware Clock (RTC)
Type the following hwclock command to read the Hardware Clock and display the time on screen:# hwclock -r
OR# hwclock --show
OR show it in Coordinated Universal time (UTC):# hwclock --show --utc
Sample outputs:
Wed 23 Apr 2014 10:36:23 AM CDT -0.157239 seconds
Linux Set Date Command Example
Use the following syntax to set new data and time:
date --set="STRING"
For example, set new data to 2 Oct 2006 18:00:00, type the following command as root user:# date -s "2 OCT 2006 18:00:00"
OR# date --set="2 OCT 2006 18:00:00"
You can also simplify format using following syntax:# date +%Y%m%d -s "20081128"
Linux Set Time Examples
To set time use the following syntax:# date +%T -s "10:13:13"
Where,
- 10: Hour (hh)
- 13: Minute (mm)
- 13: Second (ss)
Use %p locale's equivalent of either AM or PM, enter:# date +%T%p -s "6:10:30AM"
# date +%T%p -s "12:10:30PM"
How do I set the Hardware Clock to the current System Time?
Use the following syntax:# hwclock --systohc
OR# hwclock -w
Thanks to http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/howto-set-date-time-from-linux-command-prompt/ for a awesome guide!
