A Beginner’s Guide to Getting System Information on Linux

If you’re new to Linux, you might find it helpful to know how to check various details about your system. From the kernel version to memory usage, Linux offers a range of simple commands to help you gather key information. Whether you’re troubleshooting or just getting to know your machine better, these commands can be quite handy.

Here’s a list of the most useful Linux commands to get system information, with a brief explanation of what each does:

1. uname -a: Get Basic System Information

This command gives you an overview of your system’s core details, including the kernel name, version, and other basic info like the machine hardware name and processor type. Think of it as a quick snapshot of your Linux environment.

uname -a

2. lsb_release -a: Find Out Your Linux Distribution

Want to know which Linux distribution you’re running? This command will tell you! It provides specifics like the distributor ID, description, release number, and codename of the distribution.

lsb_release -a

3. hostname: Display Your System’s Hostname

This is a simple command to show the name of your system on the network. It’s helpful for identifying your machine when working in multi-computer environments.

hostname

4. cat /etc/os-release: Check Operating System Details

For a more detailed breakdown of your operating system, this command digs deeper into specifics like the OS name, version, and the system’s overall release info.

cat /etc/os-release

5. cat /proc/version: Get Your Kernel Version

If you’re looking to find out the version of your Linux kernel, this is the command to use. It displays the kernel version along with additional build information.

6. lsblk and df -h: Disk and Filesystem Information

To get an overview of your disk and filesystem usage, these two commands are key.

• lsblk shows you all available block devices on your system in a tree structure.
• df -h gives a more human-readable format of your file system usage, showing which drives are mounted and how much space is available.

7. free -h: Check Your Memory Usage

This command is great for checking how much memory (RAM) your system is using. The -h flag makes the output more readable by showing values in GB/MB instead of bytes.

8. lscpu: Get CPU Information

Want to know more about your processor? lscpu will give you details about the architecture, cores, threads, and more.

9. lspci: List PCI Devices

This command provides a list of all PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) devices, like graphics cards and network adapters, attached to your system.

10. lsusb: List USB Devices

To see all the USB devices connected to your system, use lsusb. This is particularly helpful when troubleshooting issues with USB peripherals like keyboards, printers, or external drives.

11. ifconfig or ip a: View Network Interface Information

Both ifconfig and ip a commands allow you to view details about your network interfaces, including IP addresses, MAC addresses, and status. While ifconfig is more traditional, ip a is the more modern option.

12. ls /etc/*-release: View Release Information Files

For a quick look at release-related files on your system, this command lists relevant files that contain important OS version details.

Conclusion

These Linux commands offer a quick and easy way to gather essential information about your system. Whether you’re a beginner just getting comfortable with the terminal or need to troubleshoot system issues, knowing these commands can save you time and effort.

So, fire up your terminal and give them a try!