dmidecode

Dmidecode is a command line tool commonly used in Linux systems to retrieve SMBIOS (System Management BIOS) information. This tool reads the DMI (Desktop Management Interface) data from the BIOS of a computer and displays it in a human-readable format. Dmidecode provides detailed hardware information such as CPU, BIOS version, RAM, cache, motherboard, system manufacturer, and more. It extracts data by directly reading the SMBIOS tables in the BIOS firmware, which eliminates the need for root access. The tool supports a wide range of SMBIOS versions and can decode information from many hardware vendors. Dmidecode is pre-installed on most Linux distributions but can also be easily installed using package managers like apt or yum. It is often used by system administrators and troubleshooting experts to diagnose hardware issues or gather information about the system configuration. Dmidecode can be used to verify if a computer meets the requirements for certain software or to identify the exact hardware components of a system. It can also help in updating firmware or drivers by providing the necessary hardware details. Furthermore, dmidecode is scriptable, allowing users to extract specific information programmatically for further analysis or automation.