Linux Kernel Journey

Mar 26, 2025 · Fundamentals

Efficient Memory Management: Paging Mechanism in x86‑64 Architecture

This article explains how the x86‑64 paging mechanism maps virtual addresses to physical memory, detailing the required protection‑mode conditions, page‑table structures, control‑register settings, various paging modes (32‑bit, PAE, 4‑level, 5‑level), and provides concrete kernel code examples and address‑translation demonstrations.