How to detect the Linux distribution your are using.

Run the following command:

	dmesg | head

Example:

The command returns the logs at boot time, you'll get in the first few lines one starting with Linux version.
That line will have the name of the version.

$ dmesg | head
[    0.000000] Initializing cgroup subsys cpuset
[    0.000000] Initializing cgroup subsys cpu
[    0.000000] Initializing cgroup subsys cpuacct
[    0.000000] Linux version 3.13.0-77-generic (buildd@lcy01-30) (gcc version 4.8.2 (Ubuntu 4.8.2-19ubuntu1) ) #121-Ubuntu SMP Wed Jan 20 10:50:42 UTC 2016 (Ubuntu 3.13.0-77.121-generic 3.13.11-ckt32)
[    0.000000] Command line: root=LABEL=DOROOT ro cgroup_enable=memory swapaccount=1
[    0.000000] KERNEL supported cpus:
[    0.000000]   Intel GenuineIntel
[    0.000000]   AMD AuthenticAMD
[    0.000000]   Centaur CentaurHauls
[    0.000000] e820: BIOS-provided physical RAM map:
[root@574a0820f181 oliviertech.com]#

References: