[j-nsp] 32-Bit JunOS on the 64-Bit Routing Engines

[Robert Raszuk]

Hi Thomas,

I agree with your reasoning - it is very practical :)

However I am not sure what you exactly call by "software". AFAIK the BSD
kernel has been 64 bit enabled and capable years ago so from that point
of view this is mature.

For a change various processes for example RPD last time I checked was
still 32 bit for most platforms other then JCS.

I am not sure what is the status with porting other processes to be 64
bit enabled and honestly I am not sure it is needed across the board.

So I would recommend checking with your SE if the 64 Junos you are
getting to run on 64bit RE is really fully rewritten across or processes
first. Maybe you will find out that it is not.

Just looking below it seems that jinstall is failing because it detects
cpu mismatch "i386 vs {amd64}" To fix that I think the best way would be
to talk to friends in Juniper to recompile/publish junos for your
platform/RE.

Cheers,
R.

> Yeah, that is clear - my original point is:
> 
> I do not trust the 64bit software - I have more faith in the 32bit
> software.
> 
> As per now, it has equal cost to order an MX960 with 32b-4G-RE or
> 64b-16G-RE.
> 
> So of course I would order the bigger RE but only if I can use the
> the matured software...
> 
> Tom
> 
> 
> Am 24.08.2011 14:19, schrieb Keegan Holley:
>> Interestingly enough my SE told us this is possible at lease on our
>> Mx480 and MX960 boxes. Our lab boxes are otherwise engaged at the
>> moment so we havent tested. One note regarding general computing
>> though.  The processor can only address 4G (3.8 or so actually) of ram
>> with a 32 bit word size.  So even if you get the re's running the 32
>> bit code they will only register 4G of the precious 16G.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Aug 24, 2011, at 3:12 AM, Thomas Eichhorn<te at te3networks.de>  wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I just discussed the following with my SE:
>>>
>>> I wanted to get new 64Bit REs with some new gear,
>>> but run the 32-Bit JunOS on them - he denied that
>>> this is possible.
>>>
>>> I tried to research that, but have not yet found
>>> something in the docs - does anybody here have some clue
>>> about that?
>>>
>>> As the REs are 'only' standard PCs, I do not see any reason
>>> for them to be not capable of running 'legacy' 32Bit JunOS.
>>>
>>> I would be really glad if someone has some clue about that and
>>> could unearth the truth.
>>>
>>> Thanks,
>>> Tom
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>>>
> 
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