Linux uname Command

Regardless of whether you are a system admin, software developer, or a normal Linux user, you may find yourself in a situation where you need some system information like kernel release or version. Well, there exists a built-in command line utility - dubbed uname - that lets you do this.

As already mentioned, the uname command gives you system information. Following is its syntax:

uname [OPTION]...

And here's how the man page defines it:

Print certain system information.

Following are some Q&A-styled examples that should give you a good idea of how uname works.

How to use uname?

For basic usage, just execute the 'uname' command sans options.

Linux

Linux

How to print kernel name?

For this, use the -s command line option.

uname -s

The output on my system was:

Linux

How to print kernel release?

Use the -r option for this.

uname -r

4.4.0-62-generic

How to print kernel version?

uname -v

#83~14.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jan 18 18:10:26 UTC 2017

How to print network node hostname?

uname -n

mulakihost-s1

How to print machine hardware name?

uname -m

i686

How to print processor type?

uname -p

intel

How to print operating system?

uname -o

GNU/Linux

How to print all information in one command?

uname -a

Linux mulakihost-s1 4.4.0-62-generic #83~14.04.1-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jan 18 18:10:26 UTC 2017 i686 intel i686 GNU/Linux