How to find out which Linux distribution I'm logged on to

Posted by Wesho on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by Wesho
Published on 2010-03-04T12:48:38Z Indexed on 2010/04/28 21:48 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 386

Filed under:

linux

|

linux-distributions

Hi Linux gurus,

Is there a command for finding out the distribution of the OS I'm logged on to through SSH? uname can be used to print a whole lot of info, but apparently not the distribution (e.g. RedHat, Ubuntu etc.) nor the version of that distribution.

© Server Fault or respective owner

Related posts about linux

apt-get install and update fail

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I've got a problem with apt-get update and apt-get install ... commands . every time update or installing fails and errors are : Get:1 http://dl.google.com stable Release.gpg [198B] Ign http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable/main Translation-en_US Get:2 http://dl… >>> More
kernel module compiling error

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
sh@ubuntu:/home/ccpp/helloworld$ make gcc-4.6 -O2 -DMODULE -D_KERNEL_ -W -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -Wmissing-prototypes -isystem /lib/modules/`uname -r`/build/include -c -o hello-1.o hello-1.c hello-1.c:4:0: warning: "MODULE" redefined [enabled by default] <command-line>:0:0: note: this is… >>> More
Build-Essentials installation failing

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I am having trouble accessing the several critical header files that show to be a part of the build process. The "Ubuntu Software Center" shows "Build Essentials" as installed: Next I did the following two commands, which did not improve the problem: ~$ sudo apt-get install build-essential [sudo]… >>> More
Updating Debian kernel

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I'm trying to update my Debian machine to 2.6.32-46 (which is the new stable). However, after doing apt-get update my apt-cache search linux-image shows me: linux-headers-2.6.32-5-486 - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-486 linux-headers-2.6.32-5-686-bigmem - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-686-bigmem linux-headers-2… >>> More
Serial connection over a single USB cable (Windows to linux, or linux to linux)

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm helping out with a project for an embedded device that only has USB and no serial. This device is running Linux. These days, when we need to connect to a serial port on a device we typically use a USB to serial adapter (on something like a phone system or a load balancing device, etc). I would… >>> More

Related posts about linux-distributions

Linux distributions comparison

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
Does any good comparison exist (like a table of present features) between the many Linux distributions? What are the features and advantages on each distribution? (Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, etc.) What choice is better for what kind of user profile? >>> More
Are drivers compatible between different Linux distributions?

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
If you have a device driver that works on one Linux distro, will it also work on another one? >>> More
Comparison of Community Linux Distributions for the Enterprise

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
<b>Wazi:</b> "Looking for ways to save money on your computing infrastructure? Heard about Linux uptime but need to do more research? You're not alone. Community Linux distros have become increasingly popular within the enterprise as organizations look to cut costs without compromising… >>> More
Which Linux distributions support IPv6?

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
Which Linux distributions support the IPv6 stack (like Windows Vista supports IPv6)? >>> More
The other Ubuntu Linux distributions

as seen on Internet.com - Search for 'Internet.com'
<b>Cyber Cynic:</b> "I like the brand spanking new Ubuntu 10.04 a lot. But while I like its GNOME 2.30 interface, I also like other interfaces such as KDE. It would be nice if Ubuntu could also play MP3s, common video formats and Flash from the get-go." >>> More