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Old 01-29-2010, 02:26 PM   #1
dd1313
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how to find out what distro is on PC


Hi Guys

So I start up a Server and it ends at the console.I enter the username/password.How can I find out what Linux distro this is
version etc from the command line

Thanks
Dev
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:33 PM   #2
nuwen52
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Code:
cat /etc/issue
That works on CentOS and Mint, for certain. So, it might work on all distros.
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:38 PM   #3
slacker_et
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This has been covered in other threads. Search is your friend.
/etc/issue is not reliable.
Look for /etc/*release* and/or /etc/*version*.

--ET
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:39 PM   #4
druuna
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Hi,

/etc/issue is a good place to start.

If that doesn't help look for a file with release in its name (/etc/redhat-release for example). The distro is in the name, specifics are in the file.
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:47 PM   #5
kforbus
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nuwen52 View Post
Code:
cat /etc/issue
That works on CentOS and Mint, for certain. So, it might work on all distros.
If that doesn't work you could try either of:
Code:
cat /etc/*release
Code:
cat /etc/*version
It depends on the distro. Kind of ironic, huh.
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:49 PM   #6
worm5252
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on Debian based disributions you can simply run lsb_release -a. It will give you an output like so.

Code:
jared@Sarah:~$ lsb_release -a
No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Debian
Description:    Debian GNU/Linux 5.0.3 (lenny)
Release:        5.0.3
Codename:       lenny
jared@Sarah:~$
From that I know this machine is Debian 5.0.3 which is known as Debian Lenny. If you need to know more information you can use uname -a to find out what kernel version is running. This should tell you if you are 32-bit or 64-bit or if you are running a kernel design for a specfic CPU or a custom built kernel . I personally have an AMD 64-bit processor so I ahve a 64-bit version of Linux. if I run uname -a I get the following output

Code:
jared@Sarah:~$ uname -a
Linux Sarah 2.6.26-2-amd64 #1 SMP Thu Nov 5 02:23:12 UTC 2009 x86_64 GNU/Linux
jared@Sarah:~$
Hope that helps
 
Old 01-29-2010, 02:51 PM   #7
worm5252
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I also have a 32-bit version of Debian Lenny that I use for a file server. If I run uname -a on that server I get the following output

Code:
jared@S-FSXX01:~$ uname -a
Linux S-FSXX01 2.6.26-2-686 #1 SMP Wed Aug 19 06:06:52 UTC 2009 i686 GNU/Linux
jared@S-FSXX01:~$
686 is an indicator of a 32-bit system. i386 is as well
 
Old 01-29-2010, 03:33 PM   #8
dd1313
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Hi Guys

Please check this.This is from a Xubuntu live CD,What does it mean
when it says that the version is 4.0

THanks
Dev
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Old 01-29-2010, 03:58 PM   #9
EricTRA
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The 4 from version means that it's based on Debian version 4 (etch) if I'm not mistaking, which is the current oldstable release. Current stable release is 5 (lenny) on which *buntu 9 are build.

Kind regards,

Eric
 
  


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