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    I have an unimportant but irritating problem with sort. I have a
    file that contains information about hosts based on last
    successful/unsuccessful ping. Here's what it looks like (hostname
    anonymised):
    <div>
      <br>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.101<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.102<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Jun 27
          19:30:38 BST 2013      RIV            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.103<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.104<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Feb 20
          04:37:23 GMT 2013      REC            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.105<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Feb 20
          04:38:05 GMT 2013      1AD            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.106<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Dec  7
          14:38:04 GMT 2012      2BB            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.107<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Dec  7
          14:38:04 GMT 2012      3AA            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.108<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Dec 11
          15:00:04 GMT 2012      3AB            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.109<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Dec  7
          14:38:04 GMT 2012      NFM            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">10.220.133.254<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.11<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jun  7
          08:16:03 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.12<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:45:40 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.13<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 30
          12:47:07 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.14<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jun  7
          08:16:06 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.19<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.20<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          23:06:10 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.21<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.22<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Feb 20
          04:42:31 GMT 2013      REC  Gi2/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.23<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Jul 18
          11:39:54 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.25<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Feb 20
          04:42:58 GMT 2013      1AD  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.27<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.28<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Sun Jun 23
          16:56:21 BST 2013      REC  Gi2/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.30<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul  2
          15:09:20 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.31<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since                
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.32<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:20:58 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.33<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:21:00 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.34<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:21:01 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.201<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/22  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.202<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.203<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.204<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.205<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.206<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.207<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.208<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.209<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.210<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since                
                            1AD  Gi2/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.211<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Aug  1
          09:54:58 BST 2013      REC  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.212<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.213<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/22  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.214<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.215<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi2/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.216<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi2/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.217<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/22  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.218<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AA  Gi1/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.219<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AA  Gi1/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.220<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.221<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.222<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.223<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/22  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.224<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AA  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.225<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/18  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.253<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.1<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jun 25
          15:07:38 BST 2013      2BB  Gi2/0/9   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.2<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Sat Jul 13
          07:40:20 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.3<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Sat Jul 13
          07:38:12 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/18  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.4<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:55:49 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.5<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:09 BST 2013      2BB  Gi2/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.6<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.7<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Mar 11
          15:28:51 GMT 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.8<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 12
          03:38:09 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.10<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            EC   Gi1/0/6   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.11<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:19 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.37<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:21 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.40<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Aug 14
          04:37:46 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.42<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:24 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.43<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:25 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.45<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.46<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.101<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:43 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.106<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:48 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.111<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:49 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.116<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.122<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi2/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.123<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi1/0/7   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.124<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:54 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.125<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:55 BST 2013      2BB  Gi2/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.126<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:57 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.129<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:59 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.130<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:00 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.133<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:49:48 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.135<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:07 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/10  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.136<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:09 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.137<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:49:56 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.141<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Jun 12
          09:18:26 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.146<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jun 18
          10:52:16 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.148<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.151<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue May  7
          09:14:06 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.152<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.153<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi1/0/17  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.154<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            EC   Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.155<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Feb 14
          10:57:04 GMT 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.156<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue May 28
          17:04:39 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.157<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.158<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.159<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV            </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.160<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.163<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.164<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            EC   Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.165<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since                
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.166<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            EC   Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.167<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          16:28:13 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.188<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:50:22 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.249<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi2/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.254<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Mar 11
          15:11:30 GMT 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.2.104<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          16:43:18 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.7.1<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 16
          15:36:26 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.7.2<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 16
          15:36:27 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.1<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.2<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/15  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.3<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.4<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Jul 24
          15:58:54 BST 2013      2BB  Gi3/0/7   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.5<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/6   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.6<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Jul 22
          16:22:13 BST 2013      2BB  Gi4/0/7   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.7<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.8<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/9   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.9<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.10<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/15  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.11<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/10  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.12<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Aug  1
          14:53:02 BST 2013      2BB  Gi4/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.13<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.14<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.15<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.16<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.17<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.18<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/6   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.19<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.21<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.22<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.23<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/23  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.24<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since                
                            1AD  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.25<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.26<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:51:03 BST 2013      REC  Gi1/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.27<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.28<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.29<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.30<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.31<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.32<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.33<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.34<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.35<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.36<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/17  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.37<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.38<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.39<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.40<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/9   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.41<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi1/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.42<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.44<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.45<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.46<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.48<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.49<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.50<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/18  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.51<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.52<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi2/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.53<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.54<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/18  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.55<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.56<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.58<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since                
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.59<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.60<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi1/0/15  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.61<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/10  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.62<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/18  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.63<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.64<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi3/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.65<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.66<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/20  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.67<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.68<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.69<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.70<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            RIV  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.72<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi1/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.74<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.75<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            3AB  Gi1/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.76<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            2BB  Gi4/0/17  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.77<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            REC  Gi2/0/19  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.78<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.79<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            1AD  Gi2/0/16  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.83<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                            GMB  Gi1/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.250<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Sun Jan 27
          01:05:18 GMT 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.169.4.20<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since unknown        
                                           </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">193.108.82.1<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          13:40:37 BST 2013</font>                     </div>
    </div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div>This information is picked up from multiple log files. As you
      can see the date, starting in field 4, is just the normal
      no-options output from 'date'. I'd like to be able to filter this
      file based on the date, newest dates first. I can get pretty close
      to what I want but I'm struggling to filter down to the 'minute'
      level. Here's what I mean.</div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div>Running the command:</div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px">
      <div>cat unsorted.tst | sort -k 9n -Mk5 -k6n -k7n  | tac</div>
    </blockquote>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div>produces something very close to what I want, e.g:</div>
    <div><br>
    </div>
    <div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.40<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Aug 14
          04:37:46 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.5<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:09 BST 2013      2BB  Gi2/0/2   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.43<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:25 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.42<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:24 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.37<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:21 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.136<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:09 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.135<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:07 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/10  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.130<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:24:00 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/21  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.129<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:59 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.126<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:57 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.125<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:55 BST 2013      2BB  Gi2/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.124<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:54 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/14  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.11<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:19 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/8   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.111<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:49 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/12  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.106<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:48 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.101<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          17:23:43 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/13  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.26<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:51:03 BST 2013      REC  Gi1/0/3   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.4<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:55:49 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.188<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:50:22 BST 2013      2BB  Gi1/0/5   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.137<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:49:56 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/4   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.133<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:49:48 BST 2013      RIV  Gi1/0/1   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.12<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          16:45:40 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">193.108.82.1<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Aug 12
          13:40:37 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.12<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Aug  1
          14:53:02 BST 2013      2BB  Gi4/0/11  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.211<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Aug  1
          09:54:58 BST 2013      REC  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.13<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 30
          12:47:07 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.4<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Wed Jul 24
          15:58:54 BST 2013      2BB  Gi3/0/7   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.34<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:21:01 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.33<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:21:00 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.32<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Tue Jul 23
          12:20:58 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.202.6<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Mon Jul 22
          16:22:13 BST 2013      2BB  Gi4/0/7   </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.20<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          23:06:10 BST 2013      GMB  Gi1/0/24  </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.2.104<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          16:43:18 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.1.167<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Fri Jul 19
          16:28:13 BST 2013                     </font></div>
      <div><font face="courier new, monospace">192.168.0.23<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>hostname<span
            style="white-space:pre-wrap"> </span>since Thu Jul 18
          11:39:54 BST 2013      3AB  Gi1/0/24</font>  </div>
      <div><br>
      </div>
      <div>but if you look closely you can see that the minutes and
        hours are sometimes wrong in the Aug 12 rows. </div>
      <div><br>
      </div>
      <div>I've experimented a lot with the -k7 option, dropping and
        adding the 'n', and also after consulting the man page, trying
        something like this:</div>
      <div><br>
      </div>
    </div>
    <blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 40px;border:none;padding:0px">
      <div>
        <div>sort -k 9n -k5M -k6n -k7.1,7.2n -k7.4,7.5n -k7.7,7.8n</div>
        <div><br>
        </div>
      </div>
    </blockquote>
    which I thought would sort by HH,MM,SS ignoring the colons, in the
    time field. But it just produces a mess.
    <div>
      <br>
    </div>
    <div>Alternatives include sorting out the problem at source -
      perhaps getting the original logfiles to include the date as
      YYYYMMDDHHMMSS but that's a non-trivial process. plus, I can't
      think I'm close but no cigar. I'm I missing something obvious with
      the sort command? Is there another way of doing this? It's got to
      drop into a shell script that gives me a daily report of host
      uptime/downtimes.</div>
    <span class="HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">
        <div><br>
        </div>
        <div>Dougie</div>
      </font></span>
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