pagesize(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs

On Solnix, pagesize is the illumos /usr/bin/pagesize. It prints the default page size in bytes, as the BSD versions do, and adds -a to list every hardware address translation size the system supports.

What Solnix runs

A default Solnix system runs the illumos /usr/bin/pagesize. /usr/ucb/pagesize is also shipped, but the bundle does not describe it.

Differences

Compared withTopicWhat differs
FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD-a optionSolnix pagesize accepts -a, which prints all hardware address translation sizes the system supports. The FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD synopses take no options.
Source: Solnix pagesize(1) SYNOPSIS, OPTIONS -a; FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD pagesize(1) SYNOPSIS
LinuxLinux pageThe bundle contains no Linux pagesize page, so the manual gives no basis to compare Linux behaviour or options.
Source: Bundle header: counterparts are FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD only
OpenBSDsource of the valueSolnix pagesize reports the value from getpagesize(3C). OpenBSD documents the value as coming from the sysctl(8) variable hw.pagesize.
Source: Solnix pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION; OpenBSD pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION
FreeBSD, NetBSDsource of the valueSolnix, FreeBSD and NetBSD all describe the output as the value returned by getpagesize (getpagesize(3C) on Solnix, getpagesize(3) on the BSDs). Without -a the plain output is documented the same way.
Source: Solnix pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION; FreeBSD pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION; NetBSD pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION
FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSDdefault page size wordingThe Solnix page calls the plain output the default page size, which hints that other sizes exist. The BSD pages say only the size of a page of memory.
Source: Solnix pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION, -a; FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD pagesize(1) DESCRIPTION
FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSDoutput format of -aThe Solnix page does not say how the -a sizes are separated or ordered, so scripts should not assume one size per line. No BSD page has an equivalent.
Source: Solnix pagesize(1) OPTIONS -a

Standards

  • POSIX: pagesize is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
  • FreeBSD: The pagesize command appeared in 4.2BSD.
  • OpenBSD: The pagesize command appeared in 4.2BSD.
  • NetBSD: The pagesize command appeared in 4.2BSD.

Writing portable scripts

  • Call pagesize with no options in portable scripts. -a exists only on Solnix (illumos) among the pages in the bundle.

Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.