How to Use the 'uname' Command in Linux Operating Systems

What is the Uname Command in Linux?

The Uname command in Linux is a command-line utility that provides a variety of information about the system’s hardware, software, and other configuration details. It can be used to check the version of the operating system, the type of kernel being used, the machine architecture, the processor type, and other useful information.

How Does Uname Work?

The Uname command makes use of various system calls to gather information about the operating system. The resulting information is then displayed to the user. The Uname command also provides access to additional information such as the system release number, the host name, the processor type, and the machine architecture.

Common Uses of Uname

Uname is commonly used to diagnose system issues, as well as to verify if a certain program is compatible with the system or not. It can also be used to check the version of the operating system, system release number, processor type, and other useful information.

Options Available With Uname

The available options for Uname can be seen by typing “uname –help” into the command line. Common command options include “–a” to display all information available, “–s” to display the system name (e.g., Linux), “–r” to display the release number (e.g., 2.6.32-5-amd64), and “–m” to display the machine architecture (i.e., x86_64).