linux version

[Roger Beever]

On Sun, 2005-03-20 at 07:10 -0600, Steve Buehler wrote:
> At 11:30 PM 3/19/2005, bala chandar wrote:
> >On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 14:22:07 -0600, Steve Buehler <steve at ibapp.com> wrote:
> > > At 06:57 AM 3/19/2005, bala chandar wrote:
> > >
> > > >On Sat, 19 Mar 2005 17:37:14 +0500, Muhammad Rizwan <rizwan at nixpanel.com>
> > > >wrote:
> > > > > Hello
> > > > >
> > > > > How i can check which linux version i am using, like i am using redhat
> > > > > 9, how i can check this through command or somewhere else?
> > > >
> > > >use uname -a
> > >
> > > hmmmm.......What does that command say on your server?  The Linux version
> > > like he wants (RedHat 9)? Or the kernel version?  I have several 7.3, 9,
> > > RHEL ES 3 and RHEL ES 4 boxes and "uname -a" doesn't give the RedHat
> > > version...only the kernel version.  Not trying to flame you or be an
> > > a*s.  Either you misread his question, or I misread it.....which is highly
> > > possible. :)
> > >
> >
> >the command gives the what ur running kernel version and the system
> >name! either its a debian or redhat or some other kind of distro.
> 
> RedHat 7.3, 8, 9, RHEL ES 3 and RHEL ES 4 don't tell you if it is RedHat 
> either.  A uname -a tells you the kernel-name which is just "Linux", not 
> "RedHat Linux".  I don't know about a debian box....so I won't say anything 
> about it. :)
> On all of the RedHat versions I have just mentioned "uname -a" says (with 
> different kernel versions, dates etcetera)    :
> Linux nodename 2.6.9-5.0.3.EL #1 Mon Feb 14 09:52:18 EST 2005 i686 i686 
> i386 GNU/Linux
> He wants to type something that will tell him it is "RedHat 9".  At least 
> by reading his question again, that is what it sounds like he 
> wants.  Again, I could be wrong on what he is asking.  But to get what it 
> sounds like he is asking, uname will not give the answer.  "cat 
> /etc/redhat-release" will give the answer for him.
> 
> Steve 
Most versions I have seen give the information on an unlogged in console screen.
The one you would get if you did ctrl+alt+F1 (assuming the GUI was on
ctrl+alt+F7 if the GUI is on F1 then try F2).
Regards Roger