As a technical writer and Linux enthusiast, I often find myself needing to determine the version of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operating system installed on a system. Whether it’s for troubleshooting purposes or simply satisfying my curiosity, knowing how to find the RHEL version is a valuable skill for any Linux user. In this article, I will guide you through the various methods to uncover the RHEL version installed on your system.
Method 1: Using the command line
One of the quickest and most straightforward ways to find the RHEL version is by using the command line. Open your terminal and enter the following command:
$ cat /etc/redhat-release
This command will display the contents of the “redhat-release” file, which contains the RHEL version information. The output will typically look something like this:
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server release 7.9 (Maipo)
In this example, the RHEL version is 7.9.
Method 2: Using the “/etc/os-release” file
Another method to find the RHEL version involves checking the contents of the “/etc/os-release” file. Execute the following command:
$ cat /etc/os-release
This command will display detailed information about the operating system, including the RHEL version. Look for the line that starts with “VERSION_ID” to find the exact version number.
For example, you might see a line like this:
VERSION_ID="7.9"
Here, the RHEL version is 7.9.
Method 3: Using the “hostnamectl” command
If you prefer a more high-level approach, you can use the “hostnamectl” command to find the RHEL version. Type the following command in your terminal:
$ hostnamectl
This command will display detailed information about the system, including the RHEL version. Look for the line that starts with “Operating System” to find the exact version.
For instance, you might see a line like this:
Operating System: Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.9 (Maipo)
Here, the RHEL version is 7.9.
Conclusion
Knowing how to find the RHEL version is an essential skill for any Linux user. Whether you’re troubleshooting an issue or simply wanting to stay up-to-date with the latest features and improvements, these methods will help you quickly uncover the version of RHEL installed on your system. So the next time you find yourself wondering which RHEL version you’re running, simply use one of these methods, and you’ll have the answer in no time.