Check out http://www.lm-sensors.org an open source project for embedded “sensors” for your Linux system.
I needed an easy way to check the CPU temperature for my new PC from the command line. This is yet another great example of what open source has to offer.
On my Ubuntu 7.10 server, it was too easy:
sudo apt-get install lm-sensors
sudo sensors-detect
This will test your system to see which sensors should be installed. Near the end, allow it to auto-add the kernel modules for you (make a note, in case you want to yank them later – for me, once I am done with the testing, I may remove them.)
Reboot your system
Once rebooted, type:
sensors
This gave me what I was looking for – CPU temp. And a bonus – fan RPM.
I am sure there are many other uses for this – I have just scratched the surface.
