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From andreyb@elrontelesoft.com Tue Apr 2 06:25:32 2002
From: Andrey Bronfin
John ! Magnificent ! Thank U very - very much !
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From: john meister [mailto:john@wagoneers.com]
Sent: Sun, March 31, 2002 11:25 PM
To: solaris-admin@yahoogroups.com; 'solarisadmin@yahoogroups.com';
'solaris_study@yahoogroups.com'; 'solaris_admin@yahoogroups.com';
'solaris_adm@yahoogroups.com'; 'solaris8haven@yahoogroups.com';
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Cc: John Meister
Subject: Re: [solaris-admin] Solaris 32 bit vs 64 bit
good question...
I provided some links in your message below, they're not extremely helpful
though...
So I'll try my hand at an explanation:
First off, a bit is a Binary digIT.
A Byte is always 8 bits.
A "word" is dependent on the operating system's data bus.
It may also be used to discuss the width of the CPU (or more
correctly the ALU - arithmetic logic unit). But in the case of running 64
bit operating systems on 32 bit architecture it may refer to the memory
model used for the registers.
An old 6809 with an 8 bit CPU/ALU would have an 8 bit word.
A "newer" 68000 that has a 32-bit registers but only a 16-bit ALU was
still considered to use a 32 bit system. The "word" basically means the
size of the data bus, but can also refer to the registers. The registers
are where data is stored directly before it is moved into the ALU by the
CPU. Registers are often hardware attached to the bus, but can also be
"virtual" and controlled by the memory model and shifted out of a protected
part of memory.
If the ALU can only handle 32 bits but the Operating system is configured so
it's registers (memory locations) can use 64 bits, the system will still use
a 64 bit word. This may be referred to as an emulated mode.
For peak efficiency the operating system should match the hardware. (the
hardware in question is the ALU / register and CPU)
The issue is one of performance (although it's not a significant issue)
because using a 64 bit OS on a 32 bit system requires TWO CPU cycles to do
some operations. This is not a big issue on a RISC CPU (risc = reduced
instruction set computer). (depending on the hardware and os I've estimated
an approximate 1:4 ratio of performance between a CISC (intel) and RISC
system)
So an older Sun workstation can be made to work as a 64 bit system by
"emulation". From a performance standpoint I'm not sure if there is any
real gain. Essentially the same number of CPU cycles are involved to
complete a standard transaction. However, you are able to run the newer
applications that are designed to work with the 64 bit registers. THAT is
the biggest gain that I can see.
But I'd love to hear from someone that knows more about this then I do.
Trying to answer this question forced me back to the books and to the
realization that there is way too much to learn. :)
On 3/31/02 12:50 PM, "Andrey Bronfin" wrote:
> Dear gurus !
> I know there are Solaris 32-bit and 64 bit versions out there.
> What is it governed by - the hardware U install the O/S on or the O/S
itself ?
http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/7/faqs/#64bit
> Is there a way to switch/upgrade from 32 bit to 64 bit and vice versa ?
http://www.sun.com/software/solaris/64bit.html
> How can i know which Solaris/hardware do i have - 32 or 64 bit ?
http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/packages/solaris/sparc/html/solaris.7.packages.html
http://www.sun.com/bigadmin/descAll/quickly_checkout_if.html
> And how can i know that before the Solaris is installed ?
> Also , can i install Oracle 64 bit on Solaris 32 bit and vice versa ?
http://www.rave.net/soft-sol7-faq.html#64bit
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