Interrogating a Linux Machine

“How would I do this job if I were working in a Linux shop? How
much of this information could I gather? Where would I look? How
hard would it be?

“It turns out that Linux keeps most of this information in
fairly standardized locations. The rest of the information, such as
installed software, can be had with just a few platform-specific
commands.

“I’m fond of telling people that “everything is easier in
Linux.” This statement stems from the fact that I don’t find myself
“hunting” for just the right menu or GUI widget that I need to get
a task done. Now sure, I’m demonstrating a bias that I have formed
based on years of experience with Linux. But by the end of this
article, I hope you see how easy it is to interrogate a machine
with just a few commands.”

Complete
Story