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

# os

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

<br>

## Availability

### Installation

This resource is distributed along with InSpec itself. You can use it automatically.

### Version

This resource first became available in v1.0.0 of InSpec.

## 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 names

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

```ruby
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
```