If you’re using a Linux operating system, it can be very useful to know which version of the kernel you’re running. The kernel is the core of any operating system. It’s what connects your software to your hardware, enabling your system to run smoothly and effectively. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through how to determine your Linux kernel version.
Checking the Linux Kernel Version
Checking your kernel version in Linux is pretty straightforward – all you need is a terminal and a single command. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Open your terminal. The method for doing this can differ depending on your Linux distribution. In Ubuntu, for example, you can press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a terminal window.
- With your terminal open, enter the following command:
uname -r - After you press Enter, the terminal will display your kernel version.
The command uname -r tells the system to display the kernel version. Here’s a breakdown of what this command means:
- The uname command, when used without any options, prints the name of the operating system.
- The -r option tells the command to display the kernel release number.
Example Output
If you’ve entered everything correctly, you should see an output that looks something like this:
5.4.0-26-generic
This tells us that the kernel version is 5.4.0-26-generic. The ‘generic’ part of this output refers to the type of kernel you’re running. Different types of kernels are used for different tasks – some are optimized for desktop use, while others are designed for servers.
Conclusion
Checking your Linux kernel version is quick and easy. It can be helpful for troubleshooting system issues or when you’re planning to install new software that requires a specific kernel version. Remember to use the uname -r command to find out your kernel version whenever you need to.
Happy Linux-ing!