[CentOS] Opteron in 32-bit mode

Mon Aug 1 21:06:06 UTC 2005
Doug Zeman <doug.zeman at amd.com>

Paul,

The Opteron is completely 32bit AND 64bit compatible. You will be able 
to run a 32bit OS as flawlessly as you run a 64bit OS. However, one of 
the great things about the Opteron is that you can run 32bit binaries 
natively within the 64bit OS! ( and by the way the Opteron is the 
HIGHEST end ia32 CPU you can buy! ;) )


... thanks!

- doug

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Doug Zeman            \     \    |   __ \   ____  |   Phone: 408 7747674
CAD Sys Eng II      /  \   |  _/ |  |    |        |   Cell : 408 7187466
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Paul Heinlein wrote:
> I'm spec-ing a development server for some Haskell hackers. In 
> particular, they need to be able to build and run the Glasgow Haskell 
> Compiler (ghc), the x86_64 port of which isn't quite there yet.
> 
> My current thought is to get an Opteron-based system, but load it 
> (initially, at least) with the 32-bit i386 version of CentOS. That buys 
> me near-term ghc compatibility. In the future, should ghc become 64-bit 
> clean, I'll be able to upgrade to a full 64-bit OS.
> 
> The alternative is to build the server around high-end ia32 chips and 
> leave the Opteron for another day.
> 
> Does anyone have experience running a 32-bit-only OS on Opterons? Are 
> there any gotchas?
>