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Identifying Operating Systems
SUSE Linux

Identifying Operating Systems

Publication Date: 26 Aug 2026

Operating system identification in SUSE Linux is performed using the text-based /etc/os-release configuration file. By interpreting its common and product-specific attributes, system administrators and developers can accurately identify specific distribution variants and versions. This enables seamless task automation, guarantees software compatibility, and simplifies environment troubleshooting across diverse Linux deployments.

1 Why identify an operating system?

As software developers and system administrators, you often manage several versions of the same product or even several products. Operations on each version or product may require a different configuration, therefore, it is crucial to easily identify the system.

Proper system identification can help you with automation, ensuring compatibility, troubleshooting, and so on.

2 The /etc/os-release content

For operating system identification, use a text-based file /etc/os-release. The file contains product key attributes like name and version. Viewing and interpreting the content can help you with automation, ensuring compatibility, troubleshooting, and so on.

The /etc/os-release file contains two types of attributes: common attributes and product-specific attributes. Each type is described further.

2.1 Common attributes

The common attributes have the same values for all SUSE Linux products.

Table 1: Common attributes
AttributeMeaningValue
NAMEFull name of the distributionSLES
PRETTY_NAMEA prettified name that is displayed to the userSUSE Linux Enterprise Server 16.1
VERSIONA complete version16.1
VERSION_IDA version number. This is the recommended attribute for identifying the operating system.16.1
IDShort identification of the distribution. This is the recommended attribute for identifying the operating system.sles
ID_LIKEA list of similar distributionssuse opensuse
CPE_NAMECommon Platform Enumerationcpe:/o:suse:sles:16:16.1

2.2 Product-specific attributes

The product-specific attributes differ for each SUSE product. The file /etc/os-release contains the following product-specific attributes:

Table 2: Product-specific attributes
AttributeMeaningValue for SUSE Linux Enterprise ServerValue for the immutable SUSE Linux Enterprise ServerValue for SLES for SAPValue for the immutable SLES for SAP
VARIANTThe specific flavor of the product. This is a newly introduced attribute.Enterprise ServerEnterprise Server (Immutable)Enterprise Server for SAP applicationsEnterprise Server for SAP applications (Immutable)
VARIANT_IDA short machine readable name that can be used to identify a particular product in scripts. This is a newly introduced attribute.servertransactionalserver-sapserver-sap-transactional
SUSE_SUPPORT_PRODUCTThe official SUSE product name. This is a newly introduced attribute.SUSE Linux Enterprise ServerSUSE Linux Enterprise ServerSUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applicationsSUSE Linux Enterprise Server for SAP applications
SUSE_SUPPORT_PRODUCT_VERSIONThe official SUSE product version. This is a newly introduced attribute.16.116.116.116.1