Linux distributions come in different versions, and some of these versions may have security updates or bug fixes that need to be applied before they can be used. In this article we will look at three ways to check the kernel version on Linux systems. The first way is to use the uname command. The second way is to use the lsb_release tool, and the third way is to use the dmesg command.
Understanding kernel version in Linux
Kernel versioning is the process of assigning a unique number to every new release of the Linux kernel. This number helps users and developers track changes and updates to the kernel. Each new release is assigned a unique version number that includes both a major and minor number. The major number indicates a broad change in the kernel, while the minor number indicates more specific changes.
For example, the current stable release of the Linux kernel is 4.14. The 4 indicates that it is the fourth major release of the Linux kernel, while the 14 indicates that it is the 14th minor release. Previous releases include 3.19 (the 19th minor release), 3.18 (the 18th minor release), and so on.
The next major release of the Linux kernel will be 5.0, while the next minor update will be 5.1.
check kernel version with uname command in Linux
The uname command in Linux is used to print information about the kernel version, machine hardware, and operating system. This command can be run from a terminal window or shell. The output of the uname command can be used to verify that the correct kernel version is installed and running on the system.
check kernel version with /proc/version file in Linux
In Linux, checking the kernel version is as simple as running the following command:
# uname -a
However, there are several ways to get this information. Here are three of the most popular methods:
1. Using the dmesg command : This method is probably the simplest and most straightforward way to check your kernel version. Just type dmesg into a terminal and you will see a list of all the kernel messages that have been sent since your computer started up. For example, if you are using Ubuntu 14. 04, the output of dmesg will look like the following: Here is a sample output of dmesg on Ubuntu 14.04 (as you can see, it is showing the kernel version 4.4.0-49-generic):
2. Using the uname -r command This method is also very straightforward. Just type uname -r and you will see a list of all the kernel messages that have been sent since your computer started up. For example, if you are using Ubuntu 14.
check kernel version with hostnamectl command in Linux
The hostnamectl command is a powerful tool that allows you to view and manage system information on Linux systems. This command can be used to view the kernel version on your system, as well as other information such as the type of CPU, amount of RAM, and more.
One of the benefits of using the hostnamectl command is that it provides a more user-friendly way to view system information. The command also offers more options than traditional methods such as the uname command. Additionally, the hostnamectl command is included in newer versions of Linux, so it is likely that you will have this tool available on your system.
How to upgrade kernel in Linux
Linux is a Unix-like operating system. It is built on the Linux kernel, which provides an efficient, modular and reliable platform for software development. The Linux kernel contains the core functionality of the operating system and enables applications to run on top of it. To ensure that the Linux kernel and other software components are up to date, you can use various tools to check your system’s version.