HOW to check Linux version

amitkatiyaan · 04-27-2009, 10:03 AM

hi
how we can check a linux os version from /etc/redhat-release is
Redhat Linux 3 Desktop or
Redhat Linux 4 Desktop or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Advanced Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Advanced Server IA64 or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Advanced Server Workstation or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Enterprise Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Enterprise Server IA64 or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Workstation or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Workstation IA64 or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 update4 or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 ga or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update1 Advanced Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (general availability) Advanced Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 Update9 Desktop or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (general availability) Enterprise Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 (general availability) Workstation Server or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (v.5.1) or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v.5.1 client) or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (v.5 client) or
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Desktop Workstation (general availability client) or

SlowCoder · 04-27-2009, 10:07 AM

Check out the uname command. It is there to give you information about the OS. Also, check the /etc/issue file for information.

druuna · 04-27-2009, 10:08 AM

Hi,

I'm not sure what it is you want to find out:

Are you talking about a distro version (Redhat Linux 3 Desktop vs Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 Workstation) or linux kernel version (2.6.24.2 vs 2.6.27.4)?

The first is in the /etc/redhat-release file (called different for other distro's, but it should reside in /etc).
The second can be found by the uname -r (or -a) command.

thorkelljarl · 04-27-2009, 10:28 AM

For what boots...

I see the linux I have installed and its kernel when I enter the console mode by opening a terminal as su and using the command "init 3".

kapilbajpai88 · 04-27-2009, 10:32 AM

Hi Amit,

if you want to check Linux distro then /etc/redhat-release is the best option, and for kernel version the option would be uname -r or uname -a..., as suggested by druuna as well.
Even after that if you are confused then restart the machine and then at the startup , you can make it out easily over there.

Cheers,
Kapil

inspiron_Droid · 04-27-2009, 10:41 AM

Uname -a should answer you pothetic question, next time read the Frigging Manual.

Code to get infoe mation on init

Code:

man  init

Imnformnation on uname

Code:

man uname

druuna · 04-27-2009, 10:43 AM

@NewBirth88: In a bit of a bad mood, aren't we

BTW: Start using the spell check button.......

inspiron_Droid · 04-27-2009, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by druuna

@NewBirth88: In a bit of a bad mood, aren't we

BTW: Start using the spell check button.......

Yes I am in a wee bit of a stale mood. The reason is that people should read the documentation and how tos that have already been posted here on lq and other distribution specific forums before they default to asking the same idiotic newblet questions that have already been answered been and a million and a half times over. I would also like to see more people searching the Forums here at lq or searching the forums, googling for answers to there issues.

malekmustaq · 04-27-2009, 11:08 AM

farslayer · 04-27-2009, 02:15 PM

I like the lsb_release command for determining Distribution version.. it should be part of your distro if it's LSB Compliant.

Code:

it-lenny:~$ lsb_release -a

Distributor ID:	Debian
Description:	Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.1 (lenny)
Release:	5.0.1
Codename:	lenny

SlowCoder · 04-27-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewBirth88

Yes ai am in a wee bit of a stale mood. The reason is that people should read the documentation and howtos that have been aaready here on lq and other distribution specific forums before they default to asking the same idiotic newblet questions that have already been answered been and a half times over. I would also like to see more people searching the Forums here at lq.

Yeah, I understand your position. It does get somewhat stale reading the same questions over and over again. Thing is, when I was a newb I asked the same questions, and titled my threads with "please help". So I'm patient with other newbs. The ones who hang around learn how to converse properly eventually.

Mara · 04-27-2009, 03:25 PM

To NewBirth88 (and the public):
Your comments were completely unnecessary. This is LinuxQuestions after all, and also the forum title above this thread is Linux-Newbie, so it's normal to have many similar questions here. Next time, if you really can't stand a newbie question, just move to the next thread or politely show how to search for answers...