uuname Command

Purpose

Provides information about other systems accessible to the local system.

Syntax

uuname [ -c-l ]

Description

The uuname command is a Basic Networking Utilities (BNU) command that displays a list of all the computers networked to the local system. This list of accessible systems is displayed on the screen of the local terminal.

In order for a local system to communicate with a remote system by way of BNU, the remote system must:

  • Have a UNIX-based operating system.
  • Be connected to the local system. (A telephone line can serve as the connection media.)

BNU can be used to communicate between a workstation and an operating system except UNIX, but such communications may require additional hardware or software. The remote systems accessible with BNU commands are identified when the BNU programs are installed and listed in a BNU Systems file (by default, the /etc/uucp/Systems file, or one or more files specified in the /etc/uucp/Sysfilesfile).

Before copying a file to another system with the uuto or uucp command, issue the uuname command to determine the exact name of the remote system.

Flags

Item Description
-c Displays only the names of systems contained in the cu Systems files (configured by the /etc/uucp/Sysfiles file). Omission of this flag displays the names of systems contained in the uucico Systems files (also configured by the /etc/uucp/Sysfiles file). If /etc/uucp/Sysfiles is not used to separate cu and uucico configuration into separate Systems files, the names of all systems listed in /etc/uucp/Systems are displayed regardless of the -c flag.
-l Displays the name of the local system.

Examples

  1. To identify the remote systems connected to the local system, enter:
    uuname
    The system responds with a list similar to the following:
    arthur
    hera
    merlin
    zeus
  2. To identify the name of the local system, enter:
    uuname  -l
    The system responds with something similar to the following:
    nostromo

Files

Item Description
/usr/bin/uuname Contains the uuname command.
/etc/uucp/Systems Lists accessible remote systems.
/etc/uucp/Sysfiles Specifies alternate files to be used as Systems files.
/var/spool/uucp Contains BNU administrative files.
/var/spool/uucppublic Contains BNU files awaiting transfer (public directory).