How can linux have 3 page tables if the hardware supports only 2 (IA32)

That's a really good question. To find out the details, you should check out this book:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596002130/qid=1125702982/sr=8-1/ref=pd_bbs_1/102-4454637-1634534?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

I'm not trying to plug anything, but it explains it. I'd describe it in detail, but it's a little over my head. If I remember correctly, one's a "virtual" page table, that maps to the two other page tables, or something. I'm no kernel hacker, though-- that book explains how the situation is.

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