5 Simple Methods To Test Your Ubuntu Model

Ever wanted to know which model of Linux you’re working with? Whether or not you’re troubleshooting a difficulty, making certain compatibility with particular software program, or planning a {hardware} improve, understanding your working system’s model may be essential. That is very true for Ubuntu customers, however these strategies can work for many Linux distributions.

This data may help you troubleshoot points, keep away from compatibility issues, and plan {hardware} upgrades. It may even assist you preserve good safety.

In different phrases, checking your Linux model is vital when the necessity arises. Whether or not you’re making certain you may have the most recent replace or determining in the event you’re working an older model, you’ve come to the correct place.

On this concise information, we’ll present you learn how to establish your Ubuntu model in minutes.

Let’s get began!

The Totally different Variations Of Ubuntu

Timeline chart showing release dates of various Ubuntu versions from 2014 to 2036, including standard and extended support.

Every model of Ubuntu is principally an replace to the working system. New variations come alongside each six months on common, and each launch has its personal code identify.

Listed below are some current examples:

  • 24.04 LTS Noble Numbat
  • 23.10 Mantic Minotaur
  • 22.04 LTS Jammy Jellyfish

Not like another desktop operating systems, Ubuntu is offered in many various flavors, every providing one thing distinctive. 

Nevertheless, these flavors are basically completely different desktop environments wrapped across the similar Ubuntu base system. All of them share the identical Linux kernel and core working system.

This underlying system is what we have to examine to seek out that all-important model quantity.

Why You Would possibly Want To Test Your Ubuntu Model

“Remind me why I must know my Ubuntu model once more?”

We hear you.

There are a number of good causes to lookup your model quantity.

Listed below are the highlights:

Checking Software program Compatibility

You won’t be capable to run new software program on older releases, and the identical goes for brand spanking new updates of current apps. A compatibility examine on the Ubuntu model of your system may help you keep away from any potential issues.

Safety Updates

New variations of Ubuntu typically search to patch safety weaknesses. In case you’re fearful a few particular vulnerability, you may wish to make sure you’re updated.

Troubleshooting Points

Whenever you’re making an attempt to resolve issues in your system, it actually helps to know your Ubuntu model quantity. Some issues are particular to sure releases, so nearly each tech assist individual asks for this data.

Planning for Upgrades

In case you plan to replace your system, be sure to examine whether or not your system can really deal with the replace. There’s a chance that older units could not meet the technical necessities for the most recent Ubuntu variations.

By the identical token, you may must replace Ubuntu to harness newer {hardware} upgrades.

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How To Discover Out Which Model Of Ubuntu You’re Utilizing

Sufficient with the speculation. You’re in all probability itching to get that model quantity by now.

Listed below are the very best strategies to examine your Ubuntu model by way of the command line and (graphical person interface) GUI — ranked from straightforward peasy to barely extra technical.

Technique 1: Test Your Model Through The GUI Settings 

Probably the most user-friendly method to examine your Ubuntu model is thru the GUI:

  1. Within the Launcher, click on the little Settings gear icon
  2. On the left-hand aspect, you will notice a great deal of choices. Hit the one labeled Particulars
  3. After you click on, a brand new window ought to open
  4. On this window, scroll down till you see the About part, the place it is best to discover your Ubuntu model quantity
Ubuntu system information screen displaying OS name, version number, codename, and other hardware details.

This route is ideal in the event you’re not assured with scripting and the Linux command line.

That mentioned, you will get the job achieved just a little sooner by way of the Terminal.

Technique 2: The lsb_release -a Command 

One method to make use of the command line is thru the lsb_release command. This prints out helpful details about the Linux kernel model and Linux distribution you’re utilizing — on this case, Ubuntu.

Right here’s learn how to use it:

  1. Launch Terminal utilizing Ctrl+Alt+T
  2. Sort within the following command: lsb_release -a
  3. Hit Enter
  4. The output ought to embody the model quantity labeled as Launch
Terminal screenshot showing the command "lsb_release -a" and output indicating no LSB modules are available on Ubuntu.

Technique 3: The cat /and so forth/os-release Command 

Reasonably than asking the Linux command line in your model quantity, you may merely question the information that maintain this data.

  1. Launch Terminal utilizing Ctrl+Alt+T
  2. Sort within the following command: cat /and so forth/os-release
  3. Hit Enter
  4. Terminal ought to output the contents of the os-release file
  5. You’ll discover the important thing information underneath the DISTRIB_RELEASE and DISTRIB_CODENAME variables

Technique 4: Test Your /and so forth/situation File

One other place the place data is saved is the /and so forth/situation file. We are able to name on this doc utilizing a easy command and get solely the Ubuntu model as a response.

  1. Launch Terminal utilizing Ctrl+Alt+T
  2. Sort within the following command: cat /and so forth/situation
  3. Hit Enter
  4. You must see a single line of textual content, itemizing your model quantity
Terminal screenshot displaying the commands to check the Ubuntu version and list the contents of the /etc/issue file.

Technique 5: Use The hostnamectl Command

The hostnamectl command is designed that can assist you change your system’s hostname. (That’s the identification of your system when it’s linked to a community.)

However we’re not concerned with that right this moment. 

As an alternative, we’re going to make use of the command to disclose some key details about your system, together with the all-important Ubuntu model quantity.

  1. Launch Terminal utilizing Ctrl+Alt+T
  2. Sort within the following command: hostnamectl
  3. Hit Enter
  4. You must see a number of traces of knowledge, together with your Working System and Kernel variations
Terminal showing system information for Ubuntu 22.04.4 LTS instance running on AWS, including hostname, kernel version, etc.

Ubuntu Model FAQs

Acquired extra questions? Under are a couple of of the most typical ones relating to Ubuntu releases:

How typically ought to I examine my Ubuntu model?

You don’t must examine your Ubuntu model until you’re updating to the subsequent model, upgrading your setup, or making an attempt to troubleshoot issues.

How can I improve my Ubuntu model?

You may improve by way of the Software program Updater utility or by selecting the improve choice when Ubuntu notifies you a few new model.

What’s the distinction between LTS and non-LTS Ubuntu variations?

Chances are you’ll discover that some Ubuntu model codes embody the acronym LTS. This stands for long-term assist.

LTS variations of Ubuntu are launched each two years and are supported for 5 years from their launch date.

In distinction, non-LTS variations are launched each six months. They solely include 9 months of assured assist.

In order for you a steady surroundings for getting issues achieved, LTS could be the way in which to go.

Nevertheless, you gained’t get the most recent and most experimental options that seem in different variations.

Does checking my Ubuntu model require sudo privileges?

Nope. You should use the lsb_release, /and so forth/os-release, and GUI strategies talked about above with out sudo entry.

What are the Ubuntu launch naming conventions?

Every new model of Ubuntu is given a reputation to make it simpler to reference. These names observe a easy format: adjective animal. For instance, the subsequent launch shall be Oracular Oriole (24.10).

The primary letter of each phrases is often the identical, and every new model strikes to the subsequent letter within the alphabet. The animals and adjectives can generally be a bit obscure, however these codenames are positively memorable.

Along with the names, Ubuntu variations even have a numbering system that follows the format YY.MM, the place YY represents the yr and MM represents the month of the discharge. As an illustration, Ubuntu 24.10 signifies a launch in October 2024. This numbering system helps customers shortly establish how outdated a specific launch is. The “minor” model will at all times be both .04 or .10 to characterize the months wherein new releases are put out into the wild.

Collectively, the codename and model quantity present a straightforward method to establish and reference particular Ubuntu releases.

Staying as much as Date

As you’ve seen, discovering out which model of Ubuntu is in your pc isn’t that tough.

You simply must know the place to look, or which instructions to make use of. To recap, the important thing strategies are:

  1. Test in your Settings by way of GUI
  2. Use the lsb_release -a command
  3. Enter the cat /and so forth/os-release command
  4. Ask for cat /and so forth/situation in Terminal
  5. Make use of the hostnamectl command

Save this web page for future reference, and also you’ll by no means run into the identical downside once more!

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Our managed internet hosting plans care for updates routinely, which means you don’t want to fret about model numbers. And with computerized day by day backups, you may restore your web site to a earlier model with a few clicks.

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Brian is a Cloud Engineer at DreamHost, primarily answerable for cloudy issues. In his free time he enjoys navigating fatherhood, slicing firewood, and self-hosting no matter he can.