Linux/Unix - How To View OS Version And Release

Operating System (OS) version and release details of Linux/Unix based system can be viewed using 'uname' command. Option '-a' will display all information and '-r' will display release information.

Commands 'cat /etc/issue', 'cat /etc/redhat-release' and 'tail /etc/redhat-release' can also be used to view release information.

Syntax:

uname
uname -a
uname -r
cat /etc/issue
cat /etc/redhat-release
tail /etc/redhat-release

Example:

[Admin@LinuxHost]$ uname
Linux
[Admin@LinuxHost]$

[Admin@LinuxHost]$ uname -a
Linux LinuxHost 2.6.27.5-117.fc10.x86_64 #1 SMP Tue Nov 18 11:58:53 EST 2008 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
[Admin@LinuxHost]$

[Admin@LinuxHost]$ uname -r
2.6.27.5-117.fc10.x86_64
[Admin@LinuxHost]$

[Admin@LinuxHost]$ cat /etc/issue
Fedora release 10 (Cambridge)
Kernel \r on an \m (\l)
[Admin@LinuxHost]$
 
[Admin@LinuxHost]$ cat /etc/redhat-release
Fedora release 10 (Cambridge)
[Admin@LinuxHost]$

[Admin@LinuxHost]$ tail /etc/redhat-release
Fedora release 10 (Cambridge)
[Admin@LinuxHost]$