Systems and methods are disclosed herein for performing a time-triggered distribution of messages from a region of networked machines to multiple destinations. In an embodiment, the system runs a software-based synchronization process to synchronize each of a plurality of gateways with a reference clock, wherein each gateway is a machine on a perimeter of the region of networked machines and is connected to transmit messages to multiple destinations. The gateways receive messages from within the region of networked machines for distribution to multiple destinations outside the region of networked machines according to a distribution schedule based on absolute time relative to the reference clock. The gateways perform the distribution of received messages, wherein each gateway determines absolute time based on that gateway's synchronization with the reference clock.