Situatie
Linux stores version information in a file called /proc/version. As a sysadmin you need to know the Linux distro ver number of the Linux kernel on given server or workstation. This information can be used for the following purpose.
- To fix device driver issue.
- Install correct device driver for NIC/RAID card.
- Diagnosing system problems.
- Security and patching system for bugs.
- Upgrading system and more.
How to find Linux kernel version
You need to type the following command at shell prompt:
$ uname -r
Sample outputs from RHEL 5:
2.6.18-194.3.1.el5
Another outputs from Fedora 30:
5.1.16-300.fc30.x86_64
How to check Linux version using /prov/version file
Type the following cat command to print out information about the running Linux kernel:
$ cat /proc/version
Sample outputs from RHEL 5:
Linux version 2.6.18-194.3.1.el5 (mockbuild@x86-004.build.bos.redhat.com) (gcc version 4.1.2 20080704 (Red Hat 4.1.2-48)) #1 SMP Sun May 2 04:17:42 EDT 2010
Please note that you can also use the following command:
$ uname -a
Sample outputs:
Linux b1 3.2.0-51-generic #77-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jul 24 20:18:19 UTC 2013 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
Another outputs from my Fedora Linux desktop:
Checking Linux kerne version using dmesg
Another useful option is to type the following dmesg command along with grep command:
dmesg | grep 'Linux version'
dmesg | grep Linux
Sample outputs:
[ 0.000000] Linux version 5.1.16-300.fc30.x86_64 (mockbuild@bkernel04.phx2.fedoraproject.org) (gcc version 9.1.1 20190503 (Red Hat 9.1.1-1) (GCC)) #1 SMP Wed Jul 3 15:06:51 UTC 2019 [ 0.667677] SELinux: Initializing. [ 0.667697] *** VALIDATE SELinux *** [ 0.691958] ACPI: Added _OSI(Linux-Dell-Video) [ 0.691958] ACPI: Added _OSI(Linux-Lenovo-NV-HDMI-Audio) [ 0.691958] ACPI: Added _OSI(Linux-HPI-Hybrid-Graphics) [ 0.808940] pps_core: LinuxPPS API ver. 1 registered [ 1.754325] Linux agpgart interface v0.103 [ 1.788277] usb usb1: Manufacturer: Linux 5.1.16-300.fc30.x86_64 xhci-hcd [ 1.789649] usb usb2: Manufacturer: Linux 5.1.16-300.fc30.x86_64 xhci-hcd [ 31.626968] SELinux: policy capability network_peer_controls=1 [ 31.626970] SELinux: policy capability open_perms=1 [ 31.626970] SELinux: policy capability extended_socket_class=1 [ 31.626971] SELinux: policy capability always_check_network=0 [ 31.626972] SELinux: policy capability cgroup_seclabel=1 [ 31.626972] SELinux: policy capability nnp_nosuid_transition=1 [ 31.653735] systemd[1]: Successfully loaded SELinux policy in 755.735ms. [ 32.980279] Intel(R) Wireless WiFi driver for Linux [ 34.349592] VBoxPciLinuxInit [ 1784.165279] SELinux: Converting 2546 SID table entries... [ 1786.470382] SELinux: policy capability network_peer_controls=1 [ 1786.470383] SELinux: policy capability open_perms=1 [ 1786.470383] SELinux: policy capability extended_socket_class=1 [ 1786.470383] SELinux: policy capability always_check_network=0 [ 1786.470384] SELinux: policy capability cgroup_seclabel=1 [ 1786.470384] SELinux: policy capability nnp_nosuid_transition=1 [ 1804.575674] SELinux: Converting 2559 SID table entries... [ 1807.034856] SELinux: policy capability network_peer_controls=1 [ 1807.034857] SELinux: policy capability open_perms=1 [ 1807.034858] SELinux: policy capability extended_socket_class=1 [ 1807.034859] SELinux: policy capability always_check_network=0 [ 1807.034859] SELinux: policy capability cgroup_seclabel=1 [ 1807.034860] SELinux: policy capability nnp_nosuid_transition=1
Using hostnamectl command
Simply run the following hostnamectl command on systemd based distros:
hostnamectl
Sample outputs:
Static hostname: mum1-vpn1 Icon name: computer-vm Chassis: vm Machine ID: 612892249edc4cf7b40cdfd1534feded Boot ID: f6285443d8544cb1a04878e0f2b13056 Virtualization: kvm Operating System: Ubuntu 18.04.2 LTS Kernel: Linux 4.15.0-54-generic Architecture: x86-64
The above command displays both the Linux distribution and kernel version.
Leave A Comment?