64Bit vs 32Bit for ZM

[dgellis]

Hi All,

I'm about to build 3 ZM boxen. Each box will need to service between 10 and 15 Axis net cameras.

Is there a benefit to using 64bit on the zoneminder boxen or is 32bit the better choice?

Thanks.

Darren

[Flash_]

I've not used a 64bit kernel, but then I've never had any problems with incompatibilities. I'm a cautious soul so I'd say go 32-bit and save the hassle of trying to source 64-bit dependancies, but I could be wrong.

64-bit cpu's work just dandy under 32bit kernels though.

[zoneminder]

I haven't used a 64bit kernel personally but I have set up ZM on them for other people without too much trouble and I know other people have used them. I couldn't say how much better (if at all) they are however as I've never had two otherwise identical systems to compare.

[ynn]

This is interesting topic.

if i have dual core cpu, which one will perform better if installed with 32bit or 64bit kernel to work with ZM? if there is no advantages using 64bit kernel, i might want to change to 32bit too.
thanks.

[Flash_]

Dual core only differs from a regular 64-bit cpu in that there are, to linux, two distinct processors.

It /does/ need to be using a SMP capable kernel to recognise them both, otherwise it'll just be running at half speed.

[uxbod]

Unless you have greater than 2GB RAM you will not see a huge difference between 32bit and 64bit due to memory addressing. If you are going to be using the machine for other things ie.email server then keep it simple and go 32bit. You will have less issues with compatibility.

[ma77hias]

From a dependency and compatability side I have had no problems with an AMD 64bit system with Redhat based distro like Fedora, Redhat Enterprise / CentOs.
A very helpful repository is http://dag.wieers.com/home-made/apt/packages.php

I think that mainstream debian based distros like UBUNTU would offer the same possibilities.

From a technical point of view I would have to agree that you are not going to see significant performance differences with ZM. Especially since you have other limiting factors with ZM and web cameras. Only if you want to address more than 4GB RAM will you need 64bit.

[ynn]

so what do you think if i have dual core 2.8Ghz emt64 with 1 gig RAM, should i install 32 or 64 bit?

my understanding from your post here is that 64 bit work well and run faster than 32 bit if we use more RAM? is that correct?

thanks.

[ma77hias]

If you don't plan to use more than 4GB, I would install 32bit, because you are not going to see a significant performance increase with 64bit.

[dgellis]

OK - It turned out to be a moot point as the CPUs in the ZM boxen are Pendium D 805, not EMT64 capable anyway.

I've lots of experience dealing with Fedora's 64 bit dependancy loops, so those don't bother me much.

I agree with the memory issue. The only other question I would pose on this topic is this:

Would the stream/zone analysis benefit from the greater per-instruction capacity of a 64 bit CPU?

Darren