Sily Question

[Amod]

I am connecting to a certain 'LINUX' server using 'ssh'. When I give 'uname -a' command it gives me following

Linux newftp 2.2.14-12smp #1 SMP Tue Apr 25 12:58:06 EDT 2000 i686 unknown

How can I know the OS distribution ? (Redhat/mandrek etc)

[Albert Keizer · Accepted solution]

Most linux distributions tell something about themselves in /etc/issue or /etc/motd (by default)

Regards,
Albert

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

in RH this info into /etc/redhat-release

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

and Mandrake has two files

/etc/redhat-release

&

/etc/mandrake-release

[Andrew Cowan]

As a side issue.

SSH should be installed in such a way that it doesn't tell you much about the target system. This is for security reasons since the more an attacker knows about your system, the easier it is for them to attack you!
This is because they can go away and research say Redhat 6x with Apache 1x, and find a specific weakness, then attack directly, thus giving you less warning, and/or chance to defend yourself.

It is also prudent to remove files such as "/etc/issue" and replace them with legal warning messages.

[descamps_1]

Linux newftp 2.2.14
os |hostname|kernel version

-12smp #1 SMP Tue Apr 25 12:58:06 EDT 2000
? | date kernel compiled |
i686 unknown

didier