UNIX Process range 32769-65535 impossible?

Hi,

We have a need to increase the kernel pid_max. Right now it's at the 
default 32768. The maximum allowable we can increase to is 99,999 due to 
3rd party vendor limitations. When we increased it to that value this 
weekend, we noticed that even though next pid increased sequentially, the 
range 32769-65535 was explicitly skipped. 

I note that the range 32769-65535 would be the negative numbers in a 
signed 2 byte int. This indicates to me that maybe there is some sort of 
design/legacy issue forcing this behaviour. 

Because we can only increase to 99,9999, not having access to the above 
range has limited our available pids by 1/3. Could anyone point me to some 
sort of documentation explaining this logic?

Thanks for your help,
Todd Rinaldo




Generally, this communication is for informational purposes only
and it is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase
or sale of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation
of any transaction. In the event you are receiving the offering
materials attached below related to your interest in hedge funds or
private equity, this communication may be intended as an offer or
solicitation for the purchase or sale of such fund(s).  All market
prices, data and other information are not warranted as to
completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice.
Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect
those of JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates.

This transmission may contain information that is privileged,
confidential, legally privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure
under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you
are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or
use of the information contained herein (including any reliance
thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any
attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect
that might affect any computer system into which it is received and
opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it
is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by JPMorgan Chase &
Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, for any loss
or damage arising in any way from its use. If you received this
transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and
destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard
copy format. Thank you.
Please refer to http://www.jpmorgan.com/pages/disclosures for
disclosures relating to UK legal entities.