Thanks for the more in depth explanation. I didn't realize it could be that difficult to find out the distribution. Also thanks to everyone for all the other replys. I see there are a few ways to determine this (depending on the linux distro). -- Steven ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ed Wilts" <ewilts@xxxxxxxxxx> To: "General Red Hat Linux discussion list" <redhat-list@xxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Sunday, July 11, 2004 8:44 AM Subject: Re: Easy way to tell what linux distribution is installed > On Sun, Jul 11, 2004 at 12:12:10AM -0400, Michael S. Dunsavage wrote: > > Steven wrote: > > >Ok, I know this is a stupid question, but how can you tell what linux > > >distribution is install on a computer? > > > > > cat /etc/proc/version > > I assume you mean /proc/version. Please tell me which distro this is: > > [ewilts@pe400 ewilts]$ cat /proc/version > Linux version 2.4.21-15.0.3.TL (parsley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) (gcc version > 3.2.3 20030502 (Red Hat Linux 3.2.3-34)) #1 Fri Jul 2 11:42:13 EDT 2004 > > You'd think it was Red Hat Linux, but looking more closely at the kernel > version, you see the .TL instead of .EL. It's Tao Linux. The builder > also gives a hint (but it's a hint, and not much more than that). > > Here's the "almost the same" RHEL release: > [ewilts@p6000 ewilts]$ cat /proc/version > Linux version 2.4.21-15.0.2.EL (bhcompile@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx) (gcc > version 3.2.3 20030502 (Red Hat Linux 3.2.3-35)) #1 Wed Jun 16 22:51:54 > EDT 2004 > > The short answer is that it's going to be VERY hard to determine which > distribution you're running, if it's possible at all. Nothing would > stop me from putting a stock kernel on either of my systems and > /proc/version is going to be even more wrong. > > It was certainly not a stupid question, but I don't believe that there > is an answer. > > -- > Ed Wilts, RHCE > Mounds View, MN, USA > mailto:ewilts@xxxxxxxxxx > Member #1, Red Hat Community Ambassador Program > > > -- > redhat-list mailing list > unsubscribe mailto:redhat-list-request@xxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe > https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/redhat-list > > -- redhat-list mailing list unsubscribe mailto:redhat-list-request@xxxxxxxxxx?subject=unsubscribe https://www.redhat.com/mailman/listinfo/redhat-list
