First, there is the whole issue of distribution. Options are ArchLinux, Ubuntu, SE, RedHat.
A quick, concise system identification happens with uname -a The results might look like:
Linux machinename 5.4.0-70-generic #78-Ubuntu SMP Fri Mar 19 13:29:52 UTC 2021 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
This tells us we are using Linux, our kernel is 5.4, we are using a derivative of Ubuntu on a 64-bit Intel / AMD architecture.
To get more detailed information about the OS release: lsb_release -a, and you might get some result like:
No LSB modules are available. Distributor ID: Linuxmint Description: Linux Mint 20.1 Release: 20.1 Codename: ulyssa
Another angle is to look at the file /etc/os-release. You can do that by typing cat /etc/os-release and it may reveal something like:
NAME="Linux Mint" VERSION="20.1 (Ulyssa)" ID=linuxmint ID_LIKE=ubuntu PRETTY_NAME="Linux Mint 20.1" VERSION_ID="20.1" HOME_URL="https://www.linuxmint.com/" SUPPORT_URL="https://forums.linuxmint.com/" BUG_REPORT_URL="http://linuxmint-troubleshooting-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/" PRIVACY_POLICY_URL="https://www.linuxmint.com/" VERSION_CODENAME=ulyssa UBUNTU_CODENAME=focal
Ah. Now we know this is an Ubuntu derivative and that it is focal
Try cat /proc/version and now you get a clue about the Ubuntu version used:
Linux version 5.4.0-70-generic (buildd@lcy01-amd64-004) (gcc version 9.3.0 (Ubuntu 9.3.0-17ubuntu1~20.04)) #78-Ubuntu SMP Fri Mar 19 13:29:52 UTC 2021
We still don't have a grip on our kernel and computer architecture. Try hostnamectl and you might get a response like this:
Static hostname: zendo
Icon name: computer-convertible
Chassis: convertible
Machine ID: 1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef
Boot ID: 1234567890abcdef1234567890abcdef
Operating System: Linux Mint 20.1
Kernel: Linux 5.4.0-70-generic
Architecture: x86-64
Now, we know our kernel version and that we are working on a 64-bit Intel / AMD system.
