[CentOS] 32-bit kernel+XFS+16.xTB filesystem = potential disaster

[Warren Young]

On 4/5/2011 11:24 AM, Brandon Ooi wrote:
>
> Afaik 32-bit binaries do run on the 64-bit build and compat libraries
> exist for most everything. You should evaluate if you really *really*
> need 32-bit.

Yes, thanks for assuming I don't know what I was talking about when I 
wrote that we had a hard requirement for 32-bit in this application.

Since you seem to care, we're stuck with 32-bit for this particular 
server because it needs to use an uncommon PCI card that does have Linux 
drivers but they only work with 32-bit kernels.  The driver will rebuild 
against a 64-bit kernel, but it oopses it when you try to use it.  The 
card is a legacy design, so no one has bothered to do debug this, and 
likely no one ever will.

And before you ask, no, there is no direct replacement for this PCI card 
that does support 64-bit kernels.  The path forward is to use an 
entirely different technology, which is great, but using it requires 
changing physical infrastructure ($$$) that the server plugs into.

Legacy is hard.  Next time someone tells you they can't use the latest 
and greatest for some reason, you might take them at their word.