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# Comprehensive Guide: Gathering Hardware Data from Linux Machines

Understanding hardware specifics on a Linux system aids in troubleshooting, driver management, and system optimization. Utilizing built-in commands provides a detailed view of connected devices without requiring additional package installations.

lspci for PCI Devices

The lspci command lists connected PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) devices.

lspci

This command generates a comprehensive list with details like manufacturer, model, and PCI address. To focus on a specific device, use:

lspci -s <PCI_address>

Replace <PCI_address> with the device’s PCI address (e.g., 00:1f.3). For deeper insights, incorporate -vvv:

lspci -vvv | grep -A 10 "VGA\|Display"

This command provides verbose information about the VGA or Display controller and its surrounding context. Another example is to filter for a specific device:

lspci | grep -i ethernet

This command displays all Ethernet-related devices.

lsusb for USB Devices

The lsusb command provides USB device information.

lsusb

For detailed USB device descriptors:

lsusb -v

This command displays comprehensive details including USB device capabilities. To focus on a specific vendor ID:

lsusb -d <vendor_id>:*

Replace <vendor_id> with the vendor ID (e.g., 8087 for Intel). This command lists all devices from that vendor.

lscpu for CPU Information

The lscpu command retrieves CPU details.

lscpu

This command provides insights into CPU architecture, cores, threads, and more.

lsblk for Block Devices

To view block devices like hard drives and partitions:

lsblk

This command presents a tree-like view of block devices and their relationships. For a more detailed view with filesystem information:

lsblk -f

This command displays filesystem-related details alongside block device information.

/proc and /sys Filesystems

Explore /proc and /sys directories for system and hardware details:

cat /proc/cpuinfo
cat /proc/meminfo
cat /proc/scsi/scsi

These commands display CPU info, memory details, and SCSI device information respectively. To view kernel module details:

lsmod

This command lists all loaded kernel modules.

dmidecode for BIOS Information

For BIOS details:

sudo dmidecode -t bios

This command provides BIOS vendor, version, and release date information.

hwinfo for Comprehensive Hardware Details (Optional Package)

Some systems may have hwinfo installed:

sudo hwinfo --short

inxi for Detailed System Information (Optional Package)

The inxi command is a versatile tool for retrieving comprehensive system information in Linux. When used without any arguments, it acts as a prime script, providing a condensed summary of critical system components.

inxi

This command displays a concise overview including CPU, memory, storage, and network information. It’s an excellent starting point for quick system assessments.

Interesting inxi Arguments

-F (Full Output)

For a more detailed report encompassing all available information:

inxi -F

This command offers an extensive output with in-depth hardware details, system resources, and network information.

-M (Machine Info)

To focus solely on machine-related information, including motherboard details:

inxi -M

This command provides specific details about the motherboard, aiding in hardware identification and compatibility checks.

-n (Network)

For detailed network information including interfaces, IP addresses, and network-related configurations:

inxi -n

Utilize these commands and examples to gather detailed hardware information without installing additional packages on modern Linux systems.

Created on: Jan 9, 2024

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