A Linux 64-bit server is a computer running a 64-bit version of the Linux operating system. The term "64-bit" refers to the width of the processor's registers, which are used to store data and instructions during the execution of a program. A 64-bit processor can process data and instructions in larger chunks than a 32-bit processor, which can result in improved performance for certain types of workloads, such as resource-intensive applications or large databases.
To determine if a Linux server is running a 64-bit version of the operating system, you can use the uname -m command. This command will display the machine hardware name of the system, which will be x86_64 for a 64-bit system or i686 for a 32-bit system.
uname -m
You can also use the getconf LONG_BIT command to display the number of bits used by the system's C library. This command will return 64 for a 64-bit system or 32 for a 32-bit system.
getconf LONG_BIT
It's important to note that a 64-bit server will generally require more memory and resources than a 32-bit server, as the larger registers of the processor can hold more data. However, the improved performance of a 64-bit server can often outweigh the additional cost in terms of hardware and resources.