WOW ! 64 BIT and 32 Bit


WOW:  what’s that!

Windows 64 is a native 64-bit operating system (all services run in 64-bit mode). When a 64-bit application makes an OS call, it does so using the 64-bit calling convention. 32-bit applications continue to make OS calls using the 32-bit calling convention as it happened in 32 bit windows.  32-bit OS calls from 32-Bit Application are routed through an emulation layer called WOW64.

WOW64's sole objective is to create a 32-bit environment that provides the interfaces required to allow 32-bit Windows apps to run unchanged in a 64-bit world.

Now this comes in very handy for application like NearPoint 2.1 and near by versions, which is as of now a 32 Bit application.

NearPoint is an archive and compliance solution for Exchange Server. See article:
http://exchangeserverinfo.com/2007/03/16/exchange-server-and-archive-solution-1.aspx

NearPoint can be installed on a 64Bit OS and 64Bit Hardware and use WOW to its advantage.

For those who want to know more about WOW here is the link:

http://www.devx.com/amd/Article/20342/2046

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WOW64




~Cheers