Skip to content

uname Command on ChromeOS Linux Environment

The uname command is a fundamental utility used to display system information. It provides details about the operating system, kernel, and hardware architecture, making it an essential tool for understanding your ChromeOS Linux environment.

Syntax

The basic syntax of the uname command is:

uname [options]

Examples of Usage

Display System Name

Running uname without any options displays the system name:

uname

Example Output:

Linux

Display All System Information

Use the -a option to display all available system information:

uname -a

Example Output:

Linux chromeos 5.10.114-202-chromeos #1 SMP Wed Jan 25 18:25:30 PST 2025 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Display Kernel Name

To show only the kernel name:

uname -s

Example Output:

Linux

Display Kernel Release

To display the kernel release version:

uname -r

Example Output:

5.10.114-202-chromeos

Display Kernel Version

To view the kernel version:

uname -v

Example Output:

#1 SMP Wed Jan 25 18:25:30 PST 2025

Display Machine Hardware Architecture

To identify the hardware architecture:

uname -m

Example Output:

x86_64

For ARM-based devices, the output might be:

aarch64

Display Processor Type

To view the processor type (if available):

uname -p

Example Output:

x86_64

Display Operating System

To show the operating system:

uname -o

Example Output:

GNU/Linux

Options

Commonly Used Options

  • -s: Kernel name.
  • -n: Node (hostname).
  • -r: Kernel release.
  • -v: Kernel version.
  • -m: Machine hardware architecture.
  • -p: Processor type.
  • -i: Hardware platform (not always available).
  • -o: Operating system.
  • -a: All of the above.

Use Cases

Checking System Compatibility

Use uname -m to verify the architecture before installing software or packages (e.g., x86_64 vs. aarch64).

Debugging Kernel Issues

Retrieve kernel version and release information with uname -r and uname -v for troubleshooting kernel-related issues.

Automation and Scripting

In scripts, use uname to tailor actions based on system properties. For example:

if [ "$(uname -m)" = "x86_64" ]; then
    echo "64-bit system detected."
else
    echo "Non-x86_64 architecture."
fi

Best Practices

  1. Combine with Other Commands: Use uname with grep or awk to filter specific details:
uname -a | grep x86_64

  1. Scripting: Leverage uname in scripts to detect system properties and automate configurations.

  2. Verify Compatibility: Always check hardware architecture and kernel version when troubleshooting or installing software.

The uname command is a simple yet powerful tool for obtaining essential system information. By mastering its options and use cases, ChromeOS users can efficiently gather details about their Linux environment for troubleshooting, scripting, and system management.