Linux uname command is used to print information about Linux system. It is a simple command and you'll not use it everyday. However, uname command is useful when you need to know information about a new system or when you are doing routine maintenance for your Linux system.

Below are some information from the uname manual page:

NAME
       uname - print system information

SYNOPSIS
       uname [OPTION]...

DESCRIPTION
       Print certain system information.  With no OPTION, same as -s.

Linux uname examples

Example 1 - Use Linux uname command with no option:

luzar@musang:~$ uname
Linux
luzar@musang:~$

The uname command with no option prints operating system name.

Example 2 - Linux uname command with -r option:

luzar@musang:~$ uname -r
2.6.24.5-smp
luzar@musang:~$

The uname command with -r option prints the kernel release.

Example 3 - Linux uname command with -v option:

luzar@musang:~$ uname -v
#2 SMP Wed Apr 30 13:41:38 CDT 2008
luzar@musang:~$

The uname command with -v option prints the kernel version.

Example 4 - Linux uname command with -p option:

luzar@musang:~$ uname -p
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6750  @ 2.66GHz
luzar@musang:~$

The uname command with -p option prints the processor type.

Example 5 - Linux uname command with -a option:

luzar@musang:~$ uname -a
Linux musang 2.6.24.5-smp #2 SMP Wed Apr 30 13:41:38 CDT 2008 i686 Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU     E6750  @ 2.66GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux
luzar@musang:~$

The uname command with -a option prints the kernel name, network node, kernel release, kernel version, machine hardware name, processor type, hardware platform and operating system.

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