commands/sysadmin/linux-desktop/hardware/hardware-profilers/hardware-profile.md

You are creating a comprehensive hardware profile of the system that is both AI-readable and human-readable.

Your Task

Generate a detailed hardware summary by systematically profiling the following components:

1. CPU Profile

• Model and specifications using lscpu
• Architecture details: cores, threads, cache sizes
• CPU frequency: current, min, max
• Virtualization support: VT-x/AMD-V capabilities
• CPU vulnerabilities: Spectre, Meltdown, etc.
• Performance governor settings

2. Memory Profile

• Total RAM using free -h and dmidecode -t memory
• Memory type and speed: DDR3/DDR4/DDR5, frequency
• Number of modules and configuration (slots used/available)
• Swap configuration: size, type (partition/file)
• Current usage and available memory

3. Storage Profile

• All storage devices using lsblk, fdisk -l, and smartctl
• Drive types: NVMe, SSD, HDD, eMMC
• Capacity and usage for each device
• Partition layout and filesystem types
• SMART health status for drives that support it
• Mount points and usage percentages

4. Graphics Profile

• GPU information using lspci | grep -i vga, lshw -C display
• GPU vendor and model: NVIDIA, AMD, Intel
• Driver information: version and type (proprietary/open-source)
• Display connections and active monitors
• VRAM capacity (if available)
• Vulkan/OpenGL support using vulkaninfo and glxinfo if available

5. Network Profile

• Network interfaces using ip addr and lshw -C network
• Interface types: Ethernet, WiFi, virtual
• MAC addresses for physical interfaces
• Link speeds and duplex settings
• Wireless capabilities: protocols supported (802.11ac/ax, etc.)
• Active connections and IP configuration

6. System Board and Firmware

• Motherboard details using dmidecode -t baseboard
• BIOS/UEFI information: vendor, version, release date
• System manufacturer and model
• Serial numbers (if accessible and relevant)
• Firmware capabilities: UEFI features, secure boot status

7. Peripherals and Devices

• USB devices using lsusb
• PCI devices using lspci
• Audio devices using aplay -l and lshw -C sound
• Input devices: keyboards, mice, touchpads
• Connected storage: external drives, card readers

8. Thermal and Power

• Temperature sensors using sensors (if lm-sensors installed)
• Fan speeds and thermal zones
• Battery information (for laptops) using upower -i /org/freedesktop/UPower/devices/battery_BAT0
• Power management settings and capabilities

Commands to Use

System Overview:

• inxi -Fxz - Comprehensive system information
• hwinfo --short - Hardware summary

CPU:

• lscpu
• cat /proc/cpuinfo
• cpufreq-info (if available)

Memory:

• free -h
• sudo dmidecode -t memory
• cat /proc/meminfo

Storage:

• lsblk -o NAME,SIZE,TYPE,FSTYPE,MOUNTPOINT,MODEL
• sudo fdisk -l
• sudo smartctl -a /dev/sdX (for each drive)
• df -h

Graphics:

• lspci | grep -i vga
• sudo lshw -C display
• nvidia-smi (for NVIDIA GPUs)
• glxinfo | grep -i "opengl version"

Network:

• ip addr
• sudo lshw -C network
• iwconfig (for wireless)
• ethtool eth0 (for Ethernet)

Motherboard/BIOS:

• sudo dmidecode -t baseboard
• sudo dmidecode -t bios
• sudo dmidecode -t system

Peripherals:

• lsusb -v
• lspci -v
• aplay -l

Thermal:

• sensors
• cat /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone*/temp

Output Format

Create a structured report with the following sections:

Executive Summary

• System type (desktop/laptop/server)
• Overall hardware generation/age
• Primary use case capabilities (gaming, development, general use)

Detailed Hardware Profile

CPU:

• Model: [full CPU name]
• Cores/Threads: [physical cores]/[logical threads]
• Base/Max Frequency: [GHz]
• Cache: L1/L2/L3 sizes
• Features: [virtualization, security features]

Memory:

• Total: [GB] ([type] @ [speed])
• Configuration: [X modules in Y slots]
• Swap: [size] ([type])

Storage:

• Drive 1: [model] ([type]) - [capacity] - Health: [status]
• Drive 2: ...
• Total capacity: [TB]
• Partition layout: [summary]

Graphics:

• GPU: [model]
• Driver: [version and type]
• VRAM: [size]
• Displays: [count and configuration]

Network:

• Ethernet: [model] - [speed]
• WiFi: [model] - [protocols]
• Active connections: [summary]

Motherboard:

• Manufacturer: [brand]
• Model: [model number]
• BIOS: [version] ([date])

Peripherals:

• [List of notable USB/PCI devices]

Thermal/Power:

• Current temperatures: [CPU/GPU/etc.]
• Battery: [status if laptop]

Hardware Capabilities Assessment

Rate and describe:

• Performance tier: Entry/Mid/High-end for [CPU/GPU/Storage/RAM]
• Bottlenecks: Identify any limiting components
• Upgrade recommendations: Suggest meaningful upgrades if applicable
• Compatibility notes: Linux driver status, known issues

AI-Readable Summary (JSON)

Provide a structured JSON object:

{
  "system_type": "desktop|laptop|server",
  "cpu": {
    "model": "",
    "cores": 0,
    "threads": 0,
    "base_ghz": 0.0,
    "max_ghz": 0.0
  },
  "memory": {
    "total_gb": 0,
    "type": "",
    "speed_mhz": 0
  },
  "storage": [
    {
      "device": "",
      "type": "nvme|ssd|hdd",
      "capacity_gb": 0,
      "health": "good|warning|critical"
    }
  ],
  "gpu": {
    "model": "",
    "vendor": "nvidia|amd|intel",
    "driver": "",
    "vram_gb": 0
  },
  "network": {
    "ethernet": {"present": true, "speed_mbps": 0},
    "wifi": {"present": true, "standard": ""}
  }
}

Execution Guidelines

1. Run commands systematically in the order listed above
2. Handle missing tools gracefully: Note if inxi, hwinfo, smartctl, or sensors are not installed
3. Use sudo appropriately: Many hardware queries require root privileges
4. Parse output carefully: Extract relevant information, filter noise
5. Cross-reference data: Verify findings using multiple tools when possible
6. Format for readability: Use tables, bullet points, and clear hierarchies
7. Include context: Add brief explanations for technical specs
8. Flag concerns: Highlight any hardware issues, deprecated drivers, or thermal problems

Important Notes

• Some commands may require installation of additional packages (lm-sensors, smartmontools, pciutils, etc.)
• SMART data requires drives that support it (most modern SSDs/HDDs)
• GPU information varies significantly by vendor
• Thermal data availability depends on sensor support
• Always respect privacy: avoid exposing serial numbers in shared contexts

Be thorough, accurate, and provide actionable insights about the hardware configuration.