HowTo: Find Out My Linux Distribution Name and Version

source : http://www.cyberciti.biz/faq/find-linux-distribution-name-version-number/

by NIXCRAFT on OCTOBER 25, 2007 · 44 COMMENTS· last updated at AUGUST 21, 2012

How do I find out what version of Linux distribution I'm using from the shell (bash) prompt?

To find out what version of Linux (distro) you are running, enter the following command at the shell prompt:
$ cat /etc/*-release
Sample output from my RHEL v5.x server:

Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 5 (Tikanga)

Sample outputs from my Ubuntu Linux v7.10 server:

DISTRIB_ID=Ubuntu
DISTRIB_RELEASE=7.10
DISTRIB_CODENAME=gutsy
DISTRIB_DESCRIPTION="Ubuntu 7.10"

lsb_release Command

The lsb_release command displays certain LSB (Linux Standard Base) and distribution-specific information. Type the following command:
$ lsb_release -a
Sample outputs:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Debian
Description: Debian GNU/Linux 6.0.1 (squeeze)
Release: 6.0.1
Codename: squeeze

How Do I Find Out My Kernel Version?

Type the following command:
$ uname -a
OR
$ uname -mrs
Sample outputs:

Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64 x86_64

Where,

1. Linux - Kernel name
2. 2.6.32-5-amd64 - Kernel version number
3. x86_64 - Machine hardware name (64 bit)

Say hello to /proc/version

Type the following command to see kernel version and gcc version used to build the same:
$ cat /proc/version
Sample outputs:

Linux version 3.2.0-0.bpo.1-amd64 (Debian 3.2.4-1~bpo60+1) (ben@decadent.org.uk) (gcc