how i know my web server use which linux distributions?

[devils casper]

Its /etc/issue in Debian.

[daark.child]

saad wants to know which distro so 'cat /etc/*-release' does not help. if he has root access then kieren's suggestion works best. 'uname -a' too. Btw, on my debian there is no lsb_release command.

Why would it not work. Most distros have an /etc/{DISTRONAME}-release file, but Debian and derivatives do their own thing (whats new there ).

[svinoba]

Its /etc/issue in Debian.

Thanks DC.

Why would it not work. Most distros have an /etc/{DISTRONAME}-release file,

My confusion was, when OP wants to know which distro his server runs, how can he fill {DISTRIBUTION} in the said command. I did not know about the generic '*-release'.

..but Debian and derivatives do their own thing (whats new there ).

Partly my fault too. Am a distro-slut, keep hopping from distro to distro never learning one thoroughly...

[daark.child]

My confusion was, when OP wants to know which distro his server runs, how can he fill {DISTRIBUTION} in the said command. I did not know about the generic '*-release'.

Look into wild cards if you haven't already done so and it will all make sense. Take a look here for a quick guide to wildcards.