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How do I find out if my Linux server CPU can run a 64 bit kernel version (apps) or not?

Posted by Vivek on Friday April 7, 06 @5:06 pm

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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Discussion on This Article:

  1. chandar Says:

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

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