Linux - howTo: Find Out My Linux Distribution Name and Version

by nixCraft on October 25, 2007 · 57 comments· LAST UPDATED December 29, 2013

in CentOS, Debian / Ubuntu, Linux

How do I find out what version of Linux distribution I'm using from the shell (bash) prompt?

You can use any one of the following method to find out your Linux distribution and name:a] /etc/*-release file.

Tutorial details
Difficulty	Easy (rss)
Root privileges	No
Requirements	lsb_release
Estimated completion time	2 minute

b] lsb_release command.c] /proc/version file.

Method #1: /etc/*-release file

To find out what version of Linux (distro) you are running, enter the following command at the shell prompt:
$ cat /etc/*-release
Sample output from my RHEL v5.x server:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5 (Tikanga)

Sample outputs from my Ubuntu Linux v7.10 server:

DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=7.10
DISTRIB_CODENAME=gutsy
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 7.10"

Method #2: lsb_release Command To Find Out Linux Distribution Name/Version

The lsb_release command displays certain LSB (Linux Standard Base) and distribution-specific information. Type the following command:
$ lsb_release -a
Sample outputs:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Debian
Description: Debian GNU/Linux 6.0.1 (squeeze)
Release: 6.0.1
Codename: squeeze

How Do I Find Out My Kernel Version?

Type the following command:
$ uname -a
OR
$ uname -mrs
Sample outputs:

Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 x86_64

Where,

1. Linux - Kernel name
2. 2.6.32-5-amd64 - Kernel version number
3. x86_64 - Machine hardware name (64 bit)

Say hello to /proc/version

Type the following command to see kernel version and gcc version used to build the same:
$ cat /proc/version
Sample outputs:

Linux version 3.2.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 (Debian 3.2.4-1~bpo60+1) (ben@decadent.org.uk) (gcc version 4.4.5 (Debian 4.4.5-8) ) #1 SMP Sat Feb 11 08:41:32 UTC 2012