My development machine has a 64 bit proc, running a 32 bit distribution. I would like to compile and test a kernel module with a 64 bit kernel. My question is :
Is there a 64 bit liveCD with kernel development package included ?
If it does not exist, How can I build a module for a 64 bit kernel ? Then I can eventually test it with a liveCD
http://www.ubuntu.com/desktop/get-ubuntu/download has links for 64-bit download, and the "make USB on windows" option includes screenshots showing how to make a bootable 64-bit ubuntu USB memory stick. (None of the other options in the {CD, USB} x {Windows, Mac, Ubuntu} instructions mention anything about only working for x86 vs x86-64.)
You can install a 64-bit VM on a 32-bit operating system, provided the CPU supports it. I know this is possible with VMWare, don't know about anything else.
If you're doing any system development nowadays, I'd say use a VM, regardless of the target platform. Just use a VM.
It might be more technical than you would want to try, but, if you can get a 64bit toolchain installed, you should be able to compile the kernel through:
make ARCH=amd64 CROSS_COMPILE=x86_64-pc-linux-gnu- menuconfig
You should be able to boot your regular 32bit userland with a 64bit kernel (if you select the appropriate binary compatibility options)
Cheers!