Lshw
lshw (Hardware Lister) is a small tool that provides detailed information on the hardware configuration of the machine. It can report exact memory configuration, firmware version, mainboard configuration, CPU version and speed, cache configuration, bus speed, etc. on DMI-capable x86 or EFI (IA-64) systems and on some PowerPC machines (PowerMac G4 is known to work).
Installation
USE flags
USE flags for sys-apps/lshw Hardware Lister
Emerge
root #emerge --ask sys-apps/lshwUsage
Invocation
root #lshw --help
Hardware Lister (lshw) - B.02.17
usage: lshw [-format] [-options ...]
lshw -version
-version print program version (B.02.17)
format can be
-html output hardware tree as HTML
-xml output hardware tree as XML
-short output hardware paths
-businfo output bus information
options can be
-class CLASS only show a certain class of hardware
-C CLASS same as '-class CLASS'
-c CLASS same as '-class CLASS'
-disable TEST disable a test (like pci, isapnp, cpuid, etc. )
-enable TEST enable a test (like pci, isapnp, cpuid, etc. )
-quiet don't display status
-sanitize sanitize output (remove sensitive information like serial numbers, etc.)
-numeric output numeric IDs (for PCI, USB, etc.)
Launch the X11 GUI
Enables interaction with lshw's graphical user interface, presenting a comprehensive and interactive view of hardware components.
root #lshw -XThis specific X11 GUI feature requires the appropriate useflag gtk to be enabled.
Generate full information report about all detected hardware
Produces a comprehensive report detailing every aspect of the detected hardware components within the system.
user $lshwDisplay brief hardware information
Gives a succinct summary of the hardware configuration, providing a general overview rather than exhaustive details.
user $lshw -shortDisplay bus information
Details bus information for all detected hardware components, helpful for understanding the communication routes between hardware elements.
user $lshw -businfoEnable/disable specific features
Disable USB
Prevents the listing of USB devices in the report, useful when USB device details are not necessary for the investigation.
user $lshw -disable usbEnable DMI
Turns on the reporting of DMI/SMBIOS information, which provides additional hardware component details stored in the system BIOS.
user $lshw -enable dmiUse numeric IDs for devices
Outputs numeric IDs instead of descriptive names for devices, aiding in identifying specific hardware elements based on their standard device IDs.
user $lshw -numericDisplay less verbose output
Limits the verbosity of the output, leading to a more compact and less detailed report.
user $lshw -quietRemove sensitive information from the output
Ensures the output excludes any sensitive information such as serial numbers, promoting a safer sharing of the report.
user $lshw -sanitizeGenerate reports
Generate report in HTML format
Creates an HTML report for easy viewing and navigation within a web browser.
user $lshw -html > hardware.htmlGenerate report in XML format
Forms an XML report, ideal for parsing and processing by other software or for storage purposes.
user $lshw -xml > hardware.xmlGenerate report in SQLite format
Generates an SQLite database report, allowing efficient querying and extraction of hardware information in structured form.
user $lshw -dump > hardware.dbThis specific SQLite feature requires the sqlite useflag to be enabled.
Display specific hardware classes
Processor
Provides details of the CPU including its type, speed, cores, and cache information.
user $lshw -class processorMemory
Displays comprehensive details about the system memory such as RAM, ROM, and any associated caches.
user $lshw -class memoryDisk
Reports on disk drives, including their type, size, and partitioning information.
user $lshw -class diskStorage controllers
Presents information on storage controllers, like SATA or NVMe controllers, critical in understanding the storage infrastructure.
user $lshw -class storageNetwork adapters
Details on network interfaces including ethernet and WiFi, providing insights into networking capabilities.
user $lshw -class networkDisplay
Describes graphics cards and monitors, essential for understanding the system's display capabilities.
user $lshw -class displayMultimedia
Details multimedia devices like sound cards, providing information on audio-visual capabilities.
user $lshw -class multimediaPrinter
Provides information about any attached printers, useful in troubleshooting and setting up printing capabilities.
user $lshw -class printerSystem
Offers extensive details about the system/motherboard, providing a broad understanding of the system's foundation.
user $lshw -class systemBus
Reports on busses, like USB or PCI, integral to understanding how components communicate within the system.
user $lshw -class busBridge
Describes bridge devices, crucial for understanding connections between different parts of the computer system.
user $lshw -class bridgeCommunication
Presents data on communication devices, useful in examining and troubleshooting communication capabilities.
user $lshw -class communicationGeneric
Furnishes information about generic/unclassified devices that may not fit into other specific hardware classes.
user $lshw -class genericPower
Reveals details about power-related hardware, like UPS, important in understanding the power management infrastructure.
user $lshw -class powerVolume
Provides information about volumes/partitions, assisting in disk and storage management tasks.
user $lshw -class volume