mem(7)

NAME

mem, kmem − core memory

SYNOPSIS

/dev/kmem

DESCRIPTION

The file /dev/mem is a special file that is an image of the core memory of the computer. It may be used, for example, to examine, and even to patch the system.

Byte addresses in /dev/mem are interpreted as memory addresses. References to non-existent locations cause errors to be returned.

Examining and patching device registers is likely to lead to unexpected results when read-only or write-only bits are present.

The file /dev/kmem is the same as /dev/mem except that kernel virtual memory rather than physical memory is accessed.

FILES

/dev/mem

/dev/kmem

NOTES

Some of /dev/kmem cannot be read because of write-only addresses or unequipped memory addresses.