MEM(4)

NAME
mem, kmem - memory files

DESCRIPTION
The file /dev/mem is an interface to the physical memory of the computer. Byte offsets in this file are interpreted as physical memory addresses. Reading and writing this file is equivalent to reading and writing memory itself. An error will be returned if an attempt is made to reference an offset outside of /dev/mem.

Kernel virtual memory is accessed via the file /dev/kmem in the same manner as /dev/mem. Only kernel virtual addresses that are currently mapped to memory are allowed.

On the Macintosh, physical memory may be discontiguous; kernel virtual memory begins at 0x00000000.

Even with sufficient file system permissions, these devices can only be opened when the securelevel(7) is insecure or when the kern.allowkmem sysctl(2) variable is set.

FILES
/dev/mem
/dev/kmem

SEE ALSO
securelevel(7)

HISTORY
The /dev/mem file appeared in AT&T UNIX, /dev/kmem appeared in AT&T UNIX.