Content:: How to determine the version of linux you are running
How to determine the version of linux you are running
Information in the "issue" file
Most linux systems will hold some type of information in the /etc/issue file. cat /etc/issue
Debian GNU/Linux 6.0 \n \l
Debian "debian_version" file
Debian distributions keep the version the of the system to the last update in /etc/debian_verison. Where as the /etc/issue contains information for the version of Debian that was installed on the system. cat /etc/debian_version
6.0.3
Linux Standard base
If /etc/issue does not exist you can try lsb_release -a lsb_release will show the LSB (Linux Standard Base) and Distribution information for distributions like ubuntu.
The lsb_release program checks /etc/lsb-release. You can also view the file with # cat /etc/lsb-release
Gathering information with uname
The uname command will show more information about the kernel and build information. uname -a
Linux <hostname> 2.6.26-2-686 #1 SMP Tue Mar 9 17:35:51 UTC 2010 i686 GNU/LinuxYou can show just the kernel Version with uname -r
2.6.26-2-686
