32-bit or 64-bit kernel?

[Anthony_141]

What is the command (or commands) to prove which version of the kernel we are running?

(We are using Redhat Advanced Server).

I'm guessing that "uname -m" shows us the bit version, but am not sure.

uname -m shows:
i686

Does this show it as 32-bit? If so, what does 64-bit look like?

Also, we are going to install SUSE Enterprise on a new ML350 G5 with Dual-Core servers.

Does anyone know if we can choose between 32 or 64 bit kernels when we do this? We'd like to stay at 32-bit to be consistent with our current systems (so our developers do not have to recompile for 64-bit).

[Ivan Krastev]

Use: uname -a

see this doc - http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/win/64bit.html


regards,
ivan

[John Collier]

For my FC6 boxes, I have had much success with the following command:

$rpm -qa --queryformat "%{NAME}-%{VERSION}-%{RELEASE}.%{ARCH}\n"|grep kernel|sort

The above is all one line, of course.

What you should see, if it works the same for you as it does for me, is a list of all the installed kernel related RPM packages installed with their current release info plus the arch info.

Something to consider:

I have both the i686 and the x86_64 versions of the OS in my house. I have no problems running either 32 or 64 bit applications on my x86_64 box. I do not even currently concern myself about the arch of an application when I go to install it since they will both be handled natively under the OS.

You mention that you want to keep your systems on the i686 platform so that your programmers will not have to recompile for the x86_64 platform, but I submit to you that they should not find they have to compile in 64 Bit to have it function.

The idea that comes to my mind is simply to put the x86_64 platform in place now so that the conversion to the 64 Bit world will be there when you are ready for it without even having to take down a box to load it with a different OS or version.

Of course, I only have the free Fedora version, not the Corp. Version of the OS. My command may not work for you and your OS may not run both 32 and 64 bit software side-by-side (although I would be amazed if it did not).

Just food for thought...

[George Liu_4]

It is 32-bit, other wise it shows 86-64

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom,

The new hardware does support the 64 bit kernel. This is not something you can change on the fly.

This decision needs to be made with input from the developers.

What kernel you get depends on what distribution you install.

SEP

[John Collier]

I guess I should clarify a bit.

My previous suggestion is based on the assumption that you invest in AMD Opteron processors (or some other 32/64 bit capable processors if you can find them) to accomplish your goals.

If you invest in a pure 64 bit processor or a pure 32 bit processor, then you are obviously limited on what OS you can load and run on it.

Sorry, I just don't think about people investing in processors that are not capable of doing both these days in any environment. The above mentioned processor family is just the best "bang for the buck" in my humble opinion AND they offer flexibility that others currently do not in many cases.

Just my $.02 on the matter.

[Anthony_141]

We have older ML350 G3 (Xeon 2.04 GHz) and ML350 G4 (Xeon 3.0 Ghz) - anyone have a good resource to show whether these could run 64-bit Linux or not?

(We'd like to have a consistent OS across our servers if possible)