Hello Robert, > but this raises the obvious question -- is there a way to > invoke "ntpd" to emulate nptdate's one-time, sync-my-clock-RFN!! > behaviour, strictly from the command line, without resorting to messing > with /etc/ntp.conf? I don't really see your problem. Sure it probably would be nicer if you could specify a server and some parameters on the command line, but configuring ntpd is not much more than specifying one or more servers, setting poll intervals (+ iburst) and some network restrictions. And you only have to do it once. Need an example? (Fill in iburst on the server line I presume, and if you want instant syncing maybe decrease minpoll): restrict default ignore restrict 127.0.0.1 # Amsterdam, stratum 1, open access, ntp1.nl.net restrict 193.79.237.14 mask 255.255.255.255 nomodify notrap noquery server 193.79.237.14 minpoll 8 maxpoll 12 authenticate no You can probably forget about: restrict 192.168.0.0 mask 255.255.255.0 notrust nomodify notrap driftfile /etc/ntp/drift # useless if you use ntpdate broadcastdelay 0.008 # not really sure about this option but it is in # the config file by default these days So no, ntpd is not exactly ntpdate, but it's behaviour can be mimicked by creating a config file once. Then you can run ntpd -q from the command line (as root) whenever you like. By the way, did you manage to get that Linksys PC card going? Bye, Leonard. -- mount -t life -o ro /dev/dna /genetic/research