Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model: a general equation of state

In this work we present a review of the calculations of traditional articles dealing with homogeneous and anisotropic cosmological models, particularly the Kantowski-Sachs cosmological model. As an innovative contribution, we calculate an exact solution to the field equations with a general expression of the equation of state for the material content of the universe, $p = \alpha\rho$. We obtain the expressions for energy density and pressure in this general case. We also study the case involving a scalar field. We studied, in particular, the following perfect fluids: dust ($p = 0$), stiff matter ($p = \rho$), radiation ($p = \rho/3$), cosmic strings ($p = -\rho/3$) and vacuum ($p = -\rho$).