Mastering the 'hardinfo' Command (with examples)
- Linux
- December 17, 2024
The ‘hardinfo’ command is an incredibly useful tool for users who need to gather in-depth information about the hardware and system configuration of their computers. Developed as an easy-to-use application, ‘hardinfo’ can not only provide detailed breakdowns of hardware components but also offer performance benchmarks. While primarily available as a graphical user interface (GUI) tool, it also supports command-line operations for those who prefer scriptability or need reports in different formats.
Use case 1: Launch the Hardinfo GUI to View Hardware Information
Code:
hardinfo
Motivation:
The primary motivation for launching the ‘hardinfo’ GUI is to provide users with an easy-to-navigate graphical interface that displays comprehensive information about their system’s hardware components. It benefits users who may not be comfortable with command-line interfaces and prefer visual representation for their diagnostics or inventory tasks. By using the GUI, users can click through different categories to find detailed information on components like the CPU, RAM, storage devices, and more.
Explanation:
hardinfo: This command alone, without additional arguments, starts the application in graphical mode. It does not require any parameters or options to display the GUI.
Example Output:
While ‘hardinfo’ running in GUI mode doesn’t produce a terminal output, you will see a window that lists categories like Computer, Devices, Network, Benchmarks, and more, each of which provides comprehensive details about the specific hardware or configuration aspect when selected.
Use case 2: Print Report to stdout
Code:
hardinfo -r
Motivation:
Printing a hardware report to stdout is particularly useful for users who are scripting deployments or logging systems’ hardware configurations. By outputting the information to the standard output, users can quickly transfer or review the data in real-time. This can be beneficial for troubleshooting or for inclusion in broader logs or scripts without creating intermediary files.
Explanation:
hardinfo: Calls the hardinfo application.-r: Stands for report. When combined withhardinfo, it generates a system information report directly to the terminal’s standard output.
Example Output:
Running hardinfo -r will produce a long list of detailed hardware and system configuration information, akin to this simplified snippet:
- Computer:
- Operating System : Linux
- Version : 20.04.1 LTS (Focal Fossa)
- Kernel : 5.4.0-42-generic
...
- CPU:
- Vendor : GenuineIntel
- Family : 6
- Model : Ivy Bridge
- ...
Use case 3: Save Report to HTML File
Code:
hardinfo -r -f html > hardinfo.html
Motivation:
Saving the report to an HTML file is particularly advantageous when a human-readable, formatting-loving document is required for stakeholders, tech support, or compliance documentation. HTML format is widely compatible and easily parsed by any web browser, making it convenient for sharing or future referencing.
Explanation:
hardinfo: Invokes the application.-r: Tells ‘hardinfo’ to generate a report.-f html: Specifies the format for this output, in this case, HTML, another flexible standard for documentation.> hardinfo.html: Redirects the HTML formatted output to a file namedhardinfo.htmlinstead of the console, effectively saving the report.
Example Output:
The command creates an HTML file, hardinfo.html, which can be opened with any web browser. A snippet of what might be seen in a browser is:
<html>
<head><title>Hardinfo Report</title></head>
<body>
<h1>System Summary</h1>
<ul>
<li><strong>Operating System:</strong> Linux 20.04.1 LTS (Focal Fossa)</li>
<li><strong>Kernel:</strong> 5.4.0-42-generic</li>
...
</ul>
</body>
</html>
Conclusion:
The ‘hardinfo’ command is a versatile tool that provides an excellent option for users needing detailed hardware information, available both through a graphical interface and a command-line interface for more advanced or automated tasks. Whether you’re running a quick check with a GUI, outputting diagnostics directly to the console, or archiving your system info in an easily shareable HTML format, ‘hardinfo’ covers all bases efficiently and effectively.
