diff --git a/sources/news/20220728 It-s Time to Ditch 32-Bit Linux for 64-Bit.md b/sources/news/20220728 It-s Time to Ditch 32-Bit Linux for 64-Bit.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..137690d5ae --- /dev/null +++ b/sources/news/20220728 It-s Time to Ditch 32-Bit Linux for 64-Bit.md @@ -0,0 +1,82 @@ +[#]: subject: "It’s Time to Ditch 32-Bit Linux for 64-Bit" +[#]: via: "https://news.itsfoss.com/64-bit-linux/" +[#]: author: "Ankush Das https://news.itsfoss.com/author/ankush/" +[#]: collector: "lujun9972" +[#]: translator: " " +[#]: reviewer: " " +[#]: publisher: " " +[#]: url: " " + +It’s Time to Ditch 32-Bit Linux for 64-Bit +====== + +We have plenty of [Linux distributions tailored for 32-bit systems][1]. + +So, why do I want to discourage using 32-bit and upgrade to 64-bit Linux instead? + +There are a couple of reasons, and one of the biggest reasons came to the spotlight this week. + +### 32-Bit: Ancient Hardware for E-Waste? + +Of course, Linux distros allow you to re-use older hardware, unlike any other operating system. + +You get the possibility to convert a system to a [media server][2], a storage server, and whatnot. + +Here, I’m not giving you the idea to contribute more e-waste. It is always good to utilize your hardware as long as possible without replacing them. + +However, the reasons not to use 32-bit systems may be more compelling than ever. The key highlight would be in terms of security and maintenance. + +### Improved Security With 64-bit Linux + +Spectre vulnerability made the buzz in 2018 as a dangerous security issue for processors. While it was fixed for Intel and AMD processors, it was not a pretty situation. + +Unfortunately, a new exploit, **Retbleed**, a variant of Spectre, is here affecting Intel and AMD chips. + +You can see it in action in the video below shared by the researchers who discovered it: + +![][3] + +So, naturally, we need appropriate measures to address a fix for this new security vulnerability. + +**Here comes the shocker**: 64-bit Linux kernels have received a fix for it to protect the necessary Intel/AMD processors in question. But, Linux 32-bit kernels remain vulnerable to Retbleed, as reported by [Phoronix][4]. + +Pawan Gupta (Intel) responded to the concerns in the [kernel mailing list][5] by mentioning: + +> Intel is not aware of production environments that use 32-bit mode on Skylake-gen CPUs. So this should not be a concern. + +Also, it is rare to see any efforts for 32-bit maintenance. So, it should not come as a surprise. + +Hence, if you use your system for any tasks that a security issue can disrupt, you should steer clear of 32-bit kernels. + +Of course, exceptions can include that you have an entirely offline setup. So, it would be up to you, but it is not recommended. + +### Don’t Care About Security? + +Even if you do not have a problem with not getting critical security fixes like Retbleed, there will be more trouble with 32-bit systems in 2022. + +Software maintainers aeventually giveup on tools and Linux distribution updates to work well with 32-bit systems. + +So, you may not be left with actively maintained programs for your 32-bit Linux system very soon. + +Hence, it would be a good idea to make the switch (and upgrade) now. + +_Do you still use 32-bit Linux? What do you think about it? Share your thoughts in the comments below._ + +-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + +via: https://news.itsfoss.com/64-bit-linux/ + +作者:[Ankush Das][a] +选题:[lujun9972][b] +译者:[译者ID](https://github.com/译者ID) +校对:[校对者ID](https://github.com/校对者ID) + +本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译,[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出 + +[a]: https://news.itsfoss.com/author/ankush/ +[b]: https://github.com/lujun9972 +[1]: https://itsfoss.com/32-bit-linux-distributions/ +[2]: https://itsfoss.com/best-linux-media-server/ +[3]: https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dmSPvJxPm80/hqdefault.jpg +[4]: https://www.phoronix.com/news/Linux-x86-Retbleed +[5]: https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/20220715221901.xm3c4w4idqt67uja@desk/