Linux is a popular open-source operating system that comes in many different flavors, or distributions. Each distribution has its own unique features, and it’s important to know which one you’re running to ensure compatibility with software and troubleshoot issues. In this post, we’ll go over how to check the version of several popular Linux distributions.
Linux was first released in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. It is a Unix-like operating system that is based on the Linux kernel and has a wide range of uses, from servers and supercomputers to desktop computers and mobile devices.
One of the key features of Linux is that it is open-source, meaning that the source code is freely available to anyone who wants to use, modify, or distribute it. This has led to the creation of many different Linux distributions, or “flavors,” each with their own unique features and design.
CentOS is a popular Linux distribution that is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was first released in 2004 and it’s managed by the CentOS Project. To check the version of CentOS you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/centos-release
This will display the version number and release date of your CentOS installation.
Ubuntu is a popular Linux distribution that is based on Debian. It was first released in 2004 and it’s managed by Canonical. To check the version of Ubuntu you’re running, you can use the command:
lsb_release -a
This will display the version number, release date, and other information about your Ubuntu installation.
Debian is a popular Linux distribution that is known for its stability and reliability. It was first released in 1993 and it’s managed by the Debian Project. To check the version of Debian you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/os-release
This will display the version number and other information about your Debian installation.
Fedora is a popular Linux distribution that is sponsored by Red Hat. It was first released in 2003. To check the version of Fedora you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/fedora-release
This will display the version number and release date of your Fedora installation.
FreeBSD is a popular open-source operating system that is based on BSD Unix. It was first released in 1993 and it’s managed by the FreeBSD Project. To check the version of FreeBSD you’re running, you can use the command:
uname -r
This will display the version number of your FreeBSD installation.
AlmaLinux is a popular Linux distribution that is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was first released in 2021 and it’s managed by the AlmaLinux Project. To check the version of AlmaLinux you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/almalinux-release
This will display the version number and release date of your AlmaLinux installation.
RockyLinux is a popular Linux distribution that is based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It was first released in 2021 and it’s managed by the RockyLinux Project. To check the version of RockyLinux you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/rockylinux-release
This will display the version number and release date of your RockyLinux installation.
CloudLinux is a popular Linux distribution that is designed for web hosting. It was first released in 2009 and it’s managed by CloudLinux Inc. To check the version of CloudLinux you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/redhat-release
This will display the version number and release date of your CloudLinux installation.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a popular Linux distribution that is designed for enterprise use. It was first released in 1993 and it’s managed by Red Hat. To check the version of RHEL you’re running, you can use the command:
cat /etc/redhat-release
This will display the version number and release date of your RHEL installation.
In conclusion, checking your Linux version is an important task that can help you troubleshoot issues and ensure compatibility with software. The above commands can be used to check the version of several popular Linux distributions, including CentOS, Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, AlmaLinux, RockyLinux, CloudLinux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). It’s important to know the release date and who manages each of the os, to have a better understanding of the ecosystem of the os and the support you will receive.
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