Check Your Linux Version

Why check

• Make sure software and hardware are compatible.
• Fix problems that belong to one distribution.
• Know when you need security updates.
• Tune the system for your kernel.

Open a terminal, or connect to your server with SSH.

Method 1: uname

uname -a

How to read the output:

• Linux is the operating system.
• The next number, such as 6.5.0-28-generic, is the kernel version.
• The long text after it holds the build details of the kernel.
• x86_64 is the architecture. It means a 64-bit system.

Method 2: os-release file

cat /etc/os-release

Useful lines:

• PRETTY_NAME is the friendly name, for example "Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS".
• NAME is the distribution name.
• VERSION_ID is the version number.
• VERSION has more version details.

Method 3: lsb_release

lsb_release -a

It prints the distributor ID, description, release and code name. On some systems you must install the lsb-release package first.

Method 4: hostnamectl

hostnamectl

You see the operating system, the kernel and the architecture in one view.

Quick recap

• cat /etc/os-release works almost everywhere.
• uname -a gives the kernel.
• hostnamectl shows both in one view.