changing kernel architecture

[jwj]

I just did a install of fedora 12 from cd. I thought it was going to do a network install but it copied the install from the cd instead. The cd had a i686 kernel. My cpu is amd64 and I assume that I want the x86_64 kernel. Is that right? Is x86_64 made for a amd64? Neither Package Manager nor yumex have a x86_64 kernel to select from the i386 branch of the repository. In the past it was easy to change from a 686 to amd64 but not now. I could add a new repo with the x86_64 branch but the question is: should I? Does fedora not allow or discourage changing kernel architectures? Maybe because it does not automatically change initrd or other needed files or dependencies?
Thanks,
John

[Hlingler]

The cd had a i686 kernel.

Because you obviously downloaded the 32-bit ISO.

My cpu is amd64 and I assume that I want the x86_64 kernel. Is that right?

How would we know? It's your choice: there are both pros and cons to running a 32-bit OS on 64-bit hardware, but it is allowed by all means.

Is x86_64 made for a amd64?

Yes, same thing.

Neither Package Manager nor yumex have a x86_64 kernel to select from the i386 branch of the repository.

Of course not: you installed the 32-bit Fedora OS.

In the past it was easy to change from a 686 to amd64 but not now.

Really? I tried that once, and the result was completely fatal.

I could add a new repo with the x86_64 branch but the question is: should I? Does fedora not allow or discourage changing kernel architectures?

I would never recommend such an attempt - the number of things that could go so very wrong are too many.

V