System configuration reporters

[Ken Rossman]

Looking for Linux systems programs that report things about the system's
current software and hardware configurations.  For example, number and 
type
of CPU, how much memory (how much in each DIMM slot, even, if possible),
how many IO controllers and what type, etc.  Also, soft config info such
as installed packages (well, I already know about rpm), installed 
patches,
software version listings, etc.

I don't suppose there are any standardized sets of tools to do this...
probably a program over here, another program over there, etc?

KR