Re: [GENERAL] Postgresql & AMD x86-64

Hi folks,

We recently built a dual K8D-based Opteron box running Linux in 64-bit
mode (Debian 'testing' distribution with newly compiled binutils, gcc,
and various support libraries for amd64 architecture).

The Postgres 7.3.3 "port" was simply a matter of setting the appropriate
flags to take of the biarchectecture nature of the Linux port. (that is,
"-m64" to generate 64 bit code and either "gcc -m64" or "ld -melf_x86_64"
for linking"). There were no other issues in the compile. In the
install, I had to re-init due to the incompatibility of pg_control.

All the regression tests went smoothly (the one "failure" was in geometry
and is due to round off in the least sig figs of the doubles in the Point
structure or machine zero differences).

I compared a simple query on local data in both 32bit mode and 64bit mode;
the execute time difference was not significant but this was not a compute
intensive verification (summing up column values in a table). We have
some other 32-bit amd machines here; I would be happy to try a few other
tests.

Good job, developers!!!

On Mon, 07 Apr 2003 18:34:05 +0800
Justin Clift <justin(at)postgresql(dot)org> wrote:

> Hi guys,
>
> Does anyone want remote access to the upcoming AMD 64 bit architecture,
> to make sure PostgreSQL runs well on it?
>
> It's only via remote access at present, but the AMD guys are willing to
> help us out here.
>
> Regards and best wishes,
>
> Justin Clift
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: RE: Postgresql AMD x86-64
> Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2003 10:29:24 -0800
> From: marc(dot)miller(at)amd(dot)com
> To: justin(at)postgresql(dot)org
> CC: aj(at)suse(dot)de, chris(dot)rimer(at)amd(dot)com
>
> Justin,
>
> I apologize for the delayed response. Unfortunately, at the moment I
> don't have a system available to send you. If I could get you access to
> a machine remotely, would that be useful to you? I will need to check
> machine availability before I can promise you anything, but I'm willing
> to be your sponsor in the AMD Developer Center and approve a request for
> access.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Justin Clift [mailto:justin(at)postgresql(dot)org]
> Sent: Monday, March 10, 2003 7:31 PM
> To: Andreas Jaeger
> Subject: Re: AMD x86-64
>
>
> Hi Andreas,
>
> Have you heard anything back from the AMD guys in relation to this?
>
> We've not heard a single thing from them.
>
> :-(
>
> Regards and best wishes,
>
> Justin Clift
>
>
> Andreas Jaeger wrote:
> > Justin Clift <justin(at)postgresql(dot)org> writes:
> <snip>
> >>Yep, the aim is to allow PostgreSQL developers access to a system
> >>running x86-64 hardware as needed.
> >>
> >>Trying to get ahead of the ballgame these days. :)
> >>
> >>>If you have hammer Hardware, I can provide you with a prerelease of
> >>>our software,
> >>
> >>That would be cool Andreas, thanks.
> >>
> >>Now, just need to secure the hardware somehow. Personally, I feel
> >>that an email forwarded from you to the right people at AMD may help
> >>that significantly. At least, people from AMD should get in contact
> >>with us to see if something beneficial can be arranged.
> >
> > Ok, I forwarded your note and let's see whether they're interested
> > (there're already a few commercial database like IBM DB2 ported).
> > From past experience, it might be difficult to get hardware directly
> > but let's wait for their answer.
> >
> > If you don't hear anything this week, feel free to ask me again,
> >
> > Andreas
>
>
> --
> "My grandfather once told me that there are two kinds of people: those
> who work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the
> first group; there was less competition there."
> - Indira Gandhi
>
>
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