Changing System Information

This section describes commands that enable you to change general system information.

Changing System Information (Task Map)

Task	Directions	For Instructions
Manually set a system's date and time.	Manually set your system's date and time by using the `date` `mmddHHMM[[cc]yy]` command-line syntax.	How to Manually Set a System's Date and Time
Set up a message-of-the-day.	Set up a message-of-the-day on your system by editing the `/etc/motd` file.	How to Set Up a Message-Of-The-Day
Change a system's identity.	Change a system's identity by using the `hostname` command.	How to Change a System's Identity

How to Manually Set a System's Date and Time

Become an administrator.
See How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.
Enter the new date and time.
```
$ date mmddHHMM[[cc]yy]
```
mm

Month, using two digits.

dd

Day of the month, using two digits.

HH

Hour, using two digits and a 24-hour clock.

MM

Minutes, using two digits.

cc

Century, using two digits.

yy

Year, using two digits.

See the date(1) man page for more information.
Verify that you have reset your system's date correctly by using the date command with no options.

Example 1-14 Manually Setting a System's Date and Time

The following example shows how to use the date command to manually set a system's date and time.

# date
Monday, September 13. 2010 02:00:16 PM MDT
# date 0921173404
Thu Sep 17:34:34 MST 2010

How to Set Up a Message-Of-The-Day

You can edit the message-of-the-day file, /etc/motd, to include announcements or inquiries to all users of a system when they log in. Use this feature sparingly, and edit this file regularly to remove obsolete messages.

Assume the root role or a role that has the Administrator Message Editprofile assigned to it.
See How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.
Use the pfedit command to edit the /etc/motd file and add a message of your choice.
```
$ pfedit /etc/motd
```
Edit the text to include the message that will be displayed during user login. Include spaces, tabs, and carriage returns.
Verify the changes by displaying the contents of the /etc/motd file.
```
$ cat /etc/motd
Welcome to the UNIX Universe. Have a nice day.
```

How to Change a System's Identity

Assume the root role.
See How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.
Set the name of the host for the system.
```
# hostname mynodename
```

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