How do I find out if my Linux server CPU can run a 64 bit kernel version (apps) or not?
It happens many times. Often new Linux system administrators and user(s) get confused. They are not able to determine if Linux system can run a 64 bit kernel version (and application) or not. There is simple way to find out:
(a) Ask your hardware vendor
(b) Find out yourself by reading manuals
(c) Or run the following commands:
Here is output from one of my production Dual Opteron server:
$ less /proc/cpuinfo
Output:
processor : 0 vendor_id : AuthenticAMD cpu family : 15 model : 5 model name : AMD Opteron (tm) Processor 848 stepping : 10 cpu MHz : 2197.161 cache size : 1024 KB fpu : yes fpu_exception : yes cpuid level : 1 wp : yes flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush mmx fxsr sse sse2 syscall nx mmxext lm 3dnowext 3dnow bogomips : 4308.99 TLB size : 1088 4K pages clflush size : 64 cache_alignment : 64 address sizes : 40 bits physical, 48 bits virtual power management: ts fid vid ttp processor : 1 vendor_id : AuthenticAMD cpu family : 15 model : 5 model name : AMD Opteron (tm) Processor 848 .... ... *** Output truncated *** ....
Look for flag entry in above output. If you see lm flags then you will able to run 64 bit kernel and applications. Now consider output from my Workstation (32 bit system you will not able to find out lm [long mode] flag):
$ less /proc/cpuinfo
Output:
processor : 0 vendor_id : GenuineIntel cpu family : 15 model : 1 model name : Intel(R) Celeron(R) CPU 1.70GHz stepping : 3 cpu MHz : 1717.118 cache size : 128 KB fdiv_bug : no hlt_bug : no f00f_bug : no coma_bug : no fpu : yes fpu_exception : yes cpuid level : 2 wp : yes flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov pat pse36 clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm bogomips : 3437.80
You can also type command uname command to find out this info:
$ uname -a
Output:
Linux ora100 2.6.5-7.252-smp #1 SMP Tue Feb 14 11:11:04 UTC 2006 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
The x86_64 confirms you can run 64 bit apps. You can also use live CD such as Knoppix to boot and find out this info.
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Tags: 64_bit, amd_opteron, apic, cpuinfo, fpu, kernel, linux_system, mce, mmx, pae, pge, prco_cpuinfo_file, pse, sse2, tsc, vme ~ Last updated on: September 7, 2007



this was neat and very informative with out any garbage information.. Short and sweet