---
title: About the os Resource
---

# os

Use the `os` InSpec audit resource to test the platform on which the system is running.

<br>

## Syntax

An `os` resource block declares the platform to be tested. The platform may specified via matcher or control block name. For example, using a matcher:

    describe os[:family] do
      it { should eq 'platform_family_name' }
    end

* `'platform_family_name'` (a string) is one of `aix`, `bsd`, `darwin`, `debian`, `hpux`, `linux`, `redhat`, `solaris`, `suse`,  `unix`, or `windows`

The parameters available to `os` are:

* `:name` - the operating system name, such as `centos`
* `:family` - the operating system family, such as `redhat`
* `:release` - the version of the operating system, such as `7.3.1611`
* `:arch` - the architecture of the operating system, such as `x86_64`
<br>

## Examples

The following examples show how to use this InSpec audit resource.

### Test for RedHat

    describe os[:family] do
      it { should eq 'redhat' }
    end

### Test for Ubuntu

    describe os[:family] do
      it { should eq 'debian' }
    end

### Test for Microsoft Windows

    describe os[:family] do
      it { should eq 'windows' }
    end

<br>

## Matchers

For a full list of available matchers please visit our [matchers page](https://www.inspec.io/docs/reference/matchers/). 

## os.family? Helpers

The `os` audit resource includes a collection of helpers that enable more granular testing of platforms, platform names, architectures, and releases. Use any of the following platform-specific helpers to test for specific platforms:

* `aix?`
* `bsd?` (including Darwin, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD)
* `darwin?`
* `debian?`
* `hpux?`
* `linux?` (including Alpine Linux, Amazon Linux, ArchLinux, CoreOS, Exherbo, Fedora, Gentoo, and Slackware)
* `redhat?` (including CentOS)
* `solaris?` (including Nexenta Core, OmniOS, Open Indiana, Solaris Open, and SmartOS)
* `suse?`
* `unix?`
* `windows?`

For example, to test for Darwin use:

    describe os.bsd? do
       it { should eq true }
    end

To test for Windows use:

    describe os.windows? do
       it { should eq true }
    end

and to test for Redhat use:

    describe os.redhat? do
       it { should eq true }
    end

Use the following helpers to test for operating system names, releases, and architectures:

    describe os.name do
       it { should eq 'foo' }
    end

    describe os.release do
       it { should eq 'foo' }
    end

    describe os.arch do
       it { should eq 'foo' }
    end

## os[:family] Symbols

Use `os[:family]` to enable more granular testing of platforms, platform names, architectures, and releases. Use any of the following platform-specific symbols to test for specific platforms:

* `:aix`
* `:bsd` For platforms that are part of the Berkeley OS family: `:darwin`, `:freebsd`, `:netbsd`, and `:openbsd`.
* `:debian`
* `:hpux`
* `:linux`. For platforms that are part of the Linux family: `:alpine`, `:amazon`, `:arch`, `:coreos`, `:exherbo`, `:fedora`, `:gentoo`, and `:slackware`.
* `:redhat`. For platforms that are part of the Redhat family: `:centos`.
* `:solaris`. For platforms that are part of the Solaris family: `:nexentacore`, `:omnios`, `:openindiana`, `:opensolaris`, and `:smartos`.
* `:suse`
* `:unix`
* `:windows`

For example, both of the following tests should have the same result:

    if os[:family] == 'debian'
      describe port(69) do
        its('processes') { should include 'in.tftpd' }
      end
    elsif os[:family] == 'redhat'
      describe port(69) do
        its('processes') { should include 'xinetd' }
      end
    end

    if os.debian?
      describe port(69) do
        its('processes') { should include 'in.tftpd' }
      end
    elsif os.redhat?
      describe port(69) do
        its('processes') { should include 'xinetd' }
      end
    end