NAME

mem, kmem − core memory

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.