[kwlug-disc] 64 bit install

[Rashkae]

unsolicited wrote:
> Insurance Squared Inc. wrote, On 09/24/2009 1:33 PM:
>> To run 64 bit installs of linux, do I need 64 bit hardware?  I tried
>> to install on a Xeon machine and it objected that the hardware was
>> only 32 bit.  (It's a 32 bit machine for the same reason I drive a
>> Chrysler.  All I could afford at the time :) ).
>>
>> In the same vein, if I install a 32 bit install of say Mandriva on a
>> machine with 8 gigs of ram, would one expect that the kernel being
>> installed will address all 8 gigs?  i.e. do distro installs check for
>> that stuff automatically these days?
> 
> For the group: But 32-bit apps will run on a 64-bit install?
> 

sorta, kinda, maybe.

You also need all 32-bit libraries for the apps.  These can all co-exist
nicely on the same system, but if the app isn't packaged for your 64-bit
distro, satisfying dependencies can be a chore.


> For Glenn: So, given the replies, are you sure you want to run a 64-bit
> distro? You have a large SQL server?
> 
> So, better question for the group: What sorts of apps make running a
> 64-bit install worthwhile?
> 
> 

Just getting to use all your system memory without needing special
kernel options that may or may not work with other binary kernel modules
for a start.  2GB is looking pretty small these days.  Also a
theoretical 10% to 15% (numbers completely made up) performance boost
heavy cpu programs.  Can be a big thing for such jobs as video encoding,
photo editing, data compression, etc.