Telnet into your account, and then do the following:
#mysqladmin -u
MySQL User Name -p -h
MySQL Server Name status
Though for what you're looking for, I think you'd be better off running:
#mysqladmin -u
MySQL User Name -p -h
MySQL Server Name version
Hope this helps
-jim
<edit>
Don't forget that the "#" signifies the shell prompt.
</edit>
[This message has been edited by jimbo (edited 11-20-00@5:37 pm)]