Need clarification: 64-bit Kernels and > 4GB Memory

[stefanlasiewski]

Hey Gang,

My group here is debating if we need a -bigmem Kernel or not. We are doing some research but cannot find a definitive answer--

We want a machine with 4GB (or more) of Memory. The processor is 64-Bit Processor.

32-bit Kernels need the concept of "bigmem" because by default, the kernels do not have enough addressing space to look at more then 4GB of RAM, correct?

A 64-bit Kernel does not have this addressing limitation because it has substantially more addressing space then a 32-bit kernel. A 64-bit kernel is has "bigmem" capabilities by default, correct?

Thank you for any clairification,

-= Stefan

[psic]

This should explain everything:

http://kerneltrap.org/node/2450