Opteron systems - mixed 32/64 bit environment - need linux suggestions

Hi - looking for some advice on implementing a few new systems running several Oracle products. We are looking at HP's Opteron systems, and because of vendor requirements for the application that will use the database, we have to go with a Redhat product.

My initial plan is the 32-bit version of Redhat ES for several reasons.

1. The hardware will only be dual-processor (but 4 processor capacle) systems. Redhat has led me to believe that if we add 2 more processors, it's just a matter of upgrading our license to AS. Any experiences to the contrary?
2. Even though the system will be 64-bit, and Oracle supports the x86-64 version of the OS, we will have to have Oracle Warehouse Builder installed, which as far as I can tell, does not have an x86-64 version. I can't seem to find any information about the consequences of trying to run the OS and everything else at 64-bit and tossing a 32-bit application into the mix. On Solaris Sparc, this wouldn't worry me - should it on x86-64? Or is all 32-bit the way to go?

I'd really appreciate any advice/thoughts/suggestions that folks using this stuff might have.

thanks!

jef Received on Fri Mar 18 2005 - 10:24:59 CST