mem(7)

mem, kmem -- core memory

Description

The file /dev/mem is a special file that is an image of the core memory of the computer. For example, it may be used to examine and 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

Notices

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