32-bit Linux and 24 GB RAM

[bvramesh]

Hi,

I am wondering if a 32-bit SUSE Linux can run on a board with 4 / 6 core Westmere-EP processor (intel) and 24 GB RAM. It is perfectly ok if it runs and only 4 GB is used and 20 GB go waste. But, the question will it run straight away? Any tricks needs to be played? Or It is impossible?

Best Regards,
Ramesh.

[Irithori]

It will run.
And with a PAE enabled kernel, you can even use that RAM.
See here:
Physical Address Extension - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

But what is stopping you from using the 64bit version of suse?
Then your kernel can utilize the RAM without ..cheap tricks and without the limitation that a process cannot grow beyond 4GB

[gogalthorp]

Actually 32 bit OS's use a max of 3gig . 1Gig of address space is always reserved for the OS. But yes baring any gross hardware strangeness it should run.

[HROAdmin26]

Actually 32 bit OS's use a max of 3gig . 1Gig of address space is always reserved for the OS. But yes baring any gross hardware strangeness it should run.

Any single *process* will be limited to 3GB, but a 32 bit OS, with PAE enabled, can use all 24GB RAM. This should be a consideration when choosing a PAE/64 bit kernel - do I need a single process to use more RAM, or do I need more RAM available to the OS for more processes.

[oz]

I am wondering if a 32-bit SUSE Linux can run on a board with 4 / 6 core Westmere-EP processor (intel) and 24 GB RAM.

Yes, it should run, but I would agree with Irithori that you should go with the 64-bit version of OpenSUSE and leave the 32-bit version behind (unless 32-bit is your only option for some reason).

[greylica]

It's better use a 64 bit base Linux and virtualize your 32 bit software, you will have it all !!!

[Rubberman]

My opinion - 64-bit chip w/ 4GB or more RAM, use 64-bit OS. I am currently running 32-bit Ubuntu on my laptop w/ 4GB RAM, but I am considering upgrading to the 64-bit version. I run 64-bit CentOS on my 2cpu/8core/8GB workstation. Since I use most of that memory, I'm glad I am running 64-bits native.

[bvramesh]

Currently we use 32-bit Linux on a board with 4GB RAM. We have certain 32-bit Linux drivers (for some additional HW) delivered by a certain vendor and if we upgrade to 64-bit Linux, we need to buy new 64-bit drivers and we want avoid that in the 1st phase of our hardware upgarde. In the next phase, we want to go to 64-bit Linux, 64-bit drivers from the vendor and 64-bit applications.

[lynne14]

Would it not run better with the 64 bit version ? I use the 64 bit on my desktop and it does really nice stuff ( Ubuntu 9.10 ) waiting for the next step 10.04 to hit the web so I can upgrade to it I am also going to 4 gig of ram on my laptop as I use VirtualBox now and then for some things with Windblows XP in it

[coopstah13]

Would it not run better with the 64 bit version ? I use the 64 bit on my desktop and it does really nice stuff ( Ubuntu 9.10 ) waiting for the next step 10.04 to hit the web so I can upgrade to it I am also going to 4 gig of ram on my laptop as I use VirtualBox now and then for some things with Windblows XP in it

read the post before yours

Currently we use 32-bit Linux on a board with 4GB RAM. We have certain 32-bit Linux drivers (for some additional HW) delivered by a certain vendor and if we upgrade to 64-bit Linux, we need to buy new 64-bit drivers and we want avoid that in the 1st phase of our hardware upgarde. In the next phase, we want to go to 64-bit Linux, 64-bit drivers from the vendor and 64-bit applications.