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Discovering system information with inxi

Gather detailed system information in a well-organized manner using the 'inxi' command.

In the realm of Linux, where power and flexibility are paramount, one of the most valuable tools available to users is the command line utility called inxi. This versatile tool enables users to efficiently gather detailed system information in a well-organized manner, making it an indispensable aid for troubleshooting, hardware identification, and overall system assessment.

The inxi command operates under the GPLv3 license and finds its inclusion in many Linux distributions. You can install inxi from your distribution’s software repository. From the command line on Fedora and RPM-based distributions as follows:

$ sudo dnf install inxi

On Debian, Elementary, Linux Mint, and Ubuntu based systems:

$ sudo apt install inxi

Running inxi without any flags will generate output related to the system’s CPU, kernel, uptime, memory size, hard disk size, number of processes, client used, and the inxi version.

inxi command screenshot
Screenshot by Don Watkins CC-BY-SA 4.0.

For a basic overview of your system use inxi -b:

inxi command version info screenshot
Screenshot by Don Watkins CC-BY-SA 4.0.

Determine the status of audio devices with inxi -A:

inxi command with -A option screenshot
Screenshot by Don Watkins CC-BY-SA 4.0.

You can determine the make and model of your laptop or desktop PC with inxi -M:

inxi command with -M option screenshot
Screenshot by Don Watkins CC-BY-SA 4.0.

Determine the network and associated information with inxi -n:

inxi command with -n option screenshot
Screenshot by Don Watkins CC-BY-SA 4.0.

The inxi command line utility is an indispensable tool for any Linux user. Its ability to provide an extensive range of system information concisely and well-organized simplifies the task of understanding your system’s hardware and software configuration.

Whether you’re a seasoned Linux user or a newcomer to the open source world, inxi is a must-have in your toolkit. By empowering users to make informed decisions, troubleshoot effectively, and optimize their systems, inxi reaffirms Linux’s reputation as a platform tailored for true enthusiasts and professionals.

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About the Author

I am Don Watkins, a free and open source software (FOSS) advocate.

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