how to determine sha512 or sha256 password-hash support

Hey.

One of my colleagues suggests that we stop designating "md5" as the form of password-hashing, on the "pam_unix.so" line in whatever /etc/pam.d file, in favor of "sha512" (we already do this on most of our servers). So, to create an automated job to do this, I want to be able to prove that each individual system has the libraries; etc, to support sha512 hashing, before I change that "pam_unix.so" option from "md5" to "sha512".

Somebody please tell me what specific files to look for, to know that the system includes support for sha512 password-hashing. Or, if not sha512 then maybe sha256.

Thanks. --John R Avery