How to Retrieve Hardware IDs in Ubuntu

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

Identifying the hardware IDs of components in your Ubuntu system can be crucial for tasks like finding compatible drivers, resolving system issues, or simply documenting your system's hardware specifications. This guide provides detailed instructions on how to retrieve these IDs using several methods, ensuring you can find the information you need efficiently.

Method 1: Using the Command Line

The command line provides a powerful way to access detailed information about all hardware connected to your system. Here are some commands that can be used to retrieve hardware IDs:

  • lshw (List Hardware): lshw is a command-line tool that provides detailed information about all hardware. To get hardware IDs, you can use:
sudo lshw -short

This command lists hardware paths, classes, descriptions, and vendor information. For more detailed output, including serial numbers:

sudo lshw -sanitize
  • lsusb (List USB buses and device details): This command is useful for identifying USB devices:
lsusb

It shows the bus number, device number, and ID which consists of the vendor and product ID.

  • lspci (List PCI devices): This command lists all PCI devices:
lspci -nn

The -nn option shows both the vendor and device codes in square brackets.

Method 2: Using Hardinfo

For those who prefer a graphical interface, Hardinfo provides a user-friendly environment to explore hardware details:

  • Install Hardinfo: First, you need to install it using:
sudo apt install hardinfo

  • Launch Hardinfo: After installation, launch Hardinfo from the Ubuntu dashboard or by typing hardinfo in the terminal.

  • Navigate the Interface: Hardinfo displays a sidebar with categories. Click on ‘Devices’ and then ‘DMI’ to view IDs and other details about your system components like motherboard, BIOS, and CPU.

Method 3: Checking Device Files

Each device in Linux has a directory in /sys that contains detailed information. To find a specific hardware ID, you can explore these directories:

  • Example: Finding a Disk's Serial Number: Navigate to the disk’s directory:
cd  /sys/class/block/sda/device

Then view the serial file:

cat  serial

Conclusion

Whether you prefer the straightforward detail of command-line tools or the organized presentation of a graphical program, Ubuntu offers multiple ways to retrieve hardware IDs. This information can be pivotal for maintaining your system, solving compatibility issues, or when seeking support. With the knowledge of these tools, you can effectively manage and understand the hardware components of your Ubuntu system.