How To Check If You're Running Wayland Or X11 Display Server In Linux

This tutorial explores the key differences between Wayland and X11 (Xorg) display servers in Linux, outlining their advantages and disadvantages, and providing multiple methods to determine which server your system uses. Knowing your display server is crucial for managing applications and troubleshooting display problems.

Wayland vs. X11: A Comparison

Wayland and X11 are both display servers, managing your graphical user interface (GUI) and input/output. X11, the long-standing standard, utilizes a client-server architecture. Wayland, the newer protocol, offers a more direct, streamlined approach, communicating directly with the hardware.

Wayland Advantages:

• Simplified Architecture: Easier to maintain and update.
• Enhanced Security: Prevents applications from accessing each other's content.
• Improved Performance: Generally smoother animations and better high-resolution display handling.

Wayland Disadvantages:

• Limited Compatibility: Some applications may not yet fully support Wayland.
• Feature Gaps: Certain advanced features found in X11 are still under development for Wayland.

X11 Advantages:

• Mature Ecosystem: Extensive application and feature support due to its long history.
• Network Transparency: Enables running applications remotely.

X11 Disadvantages:

• Complex Architecture: More intricate, potentially leading to security vulnerabilities.
• Performance Limitations: Can be slower than Wayland, especially on modern hardware.

Identifying Your Display Server

Here are several ways to check if your Linux system is using Wayland or X11:

1. Environment Variables:

Open a terminal and execute:

echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPE

"wayland" indicates a Wayland session; "x11" signifies X11. Note: SSH sessions will show "tty".

2. loginctl Command:

Use this command to check your session type:

loginctl show-session $(loginctl | grep $(whoami) | awk '{print $1}') -p Type

(Replace $(whoami) with your username if needed). "wayland" or "x11" will be displayed.

3. Process Check:

Examine running processes:

For Wayland: ps aux | grep [w]ayland

For X11: ps aux | grep [X]

The presence of relevant processes indicates the active display server.

4. DISPLAY Variable:

For X11, the DISPLAY variable is usually set (e.g., :0, :1). Check with: echo $DISPLAY

5. System Settings:

Some desktop environments display this information in their "About" or "System Details" settings.

6. Login Manager:

Some login managers allow you to select Wayland or X11 during login.

Visual Summary:

Conclusion:

This tutorial detailed six methods for determining your Linux display server. Checking the XDG_SESSION_TYPE environment variable is often the quickest and most reliable approach. However, the other methods provide alternative ways to verify your system's display server configuration.

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