Argus Monitor From $1/mo · Free plan 8.8 Visit hw-probe
github.com
What it is
hw-probe is a free hardware probing tool for Linux and BSD systems, aimed at debugging computer problems and managing hardware inventory. It captures a snapshot of hardware state and logs, then provides a permanent URL to view the probe. If a device lacks a driver, it can suggest a Linux kernel version or third-party driver using LKDDb data. Users can create an inventory ID and mark probes to locate their computers on Linux-Hardware.org. Its monitoring command schedules a daily cron probe and emails alerts about operating-system failures, configuration changes, and hardware degradation. Optional tests check graphics, drive read speed, CPU performance, and RAM. Installation options include AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB, and native packages. Uploads use HTTPS; selected logs can be disabled, and private details are decorated before upload, though edge-case failures are acknowledged. MAC addresses and serial numbers are represented by prefixes of salted SHA-512 hashes. The tool is dual-licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and BSD-4-Clause. The Snap package runs in a sandbox with limited functionality.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- hw-probe snapshots computer hardware and logs, checks device operability, and returns a permanent URL for viewing the probe.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Audience
- The project is intended for Linux/BSD developers debugging computer problems and organizations simplifying hardware inventory.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The project provides AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB, and native Linux package installation options.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Privacy
- The project says it attempts to mask private information before upload, warns this can fail in edge cases, and uploads data over HTTPS.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The software is dual-licensed under LGPL 2.1 or later and BSD-4-Clause.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Maker
- Linux Hardware Project is a project that anonymously collects hardware details from Linux/BSD computers and helps people collaboratively debug hardware problems.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- BSD support
- The repository links to separate installation instructions for BSD users and directs them to bsd-hardware.info.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Data identification
- The tool uploads a 32-byte prefix of salted SHA512 hashes of MAC addresses and serial numbers to identify computers and drives.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Deployment formats
- The project provides AppImage, Docker, Snap, Flatpak, Live CD/USB and native distribution packages.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Driver guidance
- When a device lacks a driver, hw-probe suggests a Linux kernel version or third-party driver using LKDDb data.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Driver suggestions
- When a device does not work because a driver is missing, hw-probe suggests a Linux kernel version or third-party driver.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Hardware tests
- Optional sanity tests cover graphics, drive read speed, CPU performance, and RAM.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Inventory
- Users can associate probes with an inventory ID to find their computers and receive email notifications about detected hardware failures.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Licensing
- The software is dual-licensed under LGPL-2.1-or-later and BSD-4-Clause.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Linux support
- The README lists Linux distributions and supported versions for its AppImage, Snap, and Flatpak options.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Log controls
- Users can disable collection of selected logs with the -disable option.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Monitoring
- Linux Hardware Monitoring can schedule daily probes of servers or personal stations and email alerts about hardware failures or important hardware-related changes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Monitoring schedule
- The monitoring command adds a daily cron job that probes the server and sends email notifications for detected failures or important changes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Operating systems
- The project supports Linux distributions and BSD systems including FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD, DragonFly, MidnightBSD, GhostBSD, NomadBSD, FreeNAS and pfSense.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Operational limits
- The project says the Snap package runs in a sandbox with limited functionality and requires disk block device access to check drive SMART attributes.Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Probe output
- A probe is a snapshot of hardware state and logs, and the tool returns a permanent URL for viewing it.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Runtime tests
- Additional tests cover graphics with glxgears, drive read speed with hdparm, CPU performance with dd and md5sum, and RAM with memtester.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Transport and identifiers
- Uploads use HTTPS, while MAC addresses and serial numbers are represented by 32-byte prefixes of salted SHA-512 hashes.Read 30 Sep 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
hw-probe Free Open-source hardware probing tool · dual-licensed under LGPL 2.1-or-later or BSD-4-Clause Read 2 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Provides a permanent URL for each hardware probe.
- Can suggest drivers for devices that lack them.
- Daily monitoring can email alerts about failures and changes.
- Optional tests cover graphics, drives, CPU, and RAM.
Limits
- Snap has limited functionality in its sandbox.
- Privacy masking may fail in edge cases.
- Checking drive SMART attributes requires disk block device access.
Who it suits
It suits Linux and BSD developers debugging hardware issues and organisations simplifying hardware inventory. Users seeking routine checks can use the monitoring command and email notifications.
Verdict
hw-probe combines shareable hardware snapshots, driver guidance, and optional monitoring. Its upload privacy measures have acknowledged edge cases, and Snap users face a functionality limit.
Where Specifiction places it
- System Information Software#7 of 348.2
