# Enable Arm SPE for Performix memory access analysis

## In this learning path

- [Introduction](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/)
- [Understand Arm Statistical Profiling Extension](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/how-to-1/)
- [Assess the OS kernel and driver for Arm SPE support](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/how-to-2/)
- [Enable and verify Arm SPE support](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/how-to-3/)
- [Choose an alternative path to enable Arm SPE](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/how-to-4/)
- [Next Steps](https://learn.arm.com/learning-paths/servers-and-cloud-computing/spe-on-performix/_next-steps/)

## About this Learning Path

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| Skill level: | Introductory |
| Reading time: | 30 min |
| Last updated: | 22 Sep 2026 |

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| Author: | Kieran Hejmadi , Arm<br>[GitHub](https://github.com/kieranhejmadi01)<br>[LinkedIn](https://linkedin.com/in/kieran-hejmadi-88920815b) |
| Arm IP: | [Neoverse](https://support.arm.com/?tab=compute-ip&Product%20Type=Infrastructure%20Processors) |
| Tags: | [Performance and Architecture](https://learn.arm.com/tag/performance-and-architecture) [Arm AGI CPU](https://learn.arm.com/tag/arm-agi-cpu) [AWS Graviton](https://learn.arm.com/tag/aws-graviton) [Google Axion](https://learn.arm.com/tag/google-axion) [Microsoft Azure Cobalt](https://learn.arm.com/tag/microsoft-azure-cobalt) [Linux](https://learn.arm.com/tag/linux) [Arm Performix](https://learn.arm.com/tag/arm-performix) [Sysreport](https://learn.arm.com/tag/sysreport) [Linux kernel](https://learn.arm.com/tag/linux-kernel) [perf](https://learn.arm.com/tag/perf) |

### Who is this for?
This is an introductory topic for software developers and performance engineers who want to prepare Arm Linux machines, including cloud-hosted systems, for Arm Performix memory access profiling.

### What will you learn?
After completing this Learning Path, you'll be able to perform the following tasks:
- Check whether Arm Statistical Profiling Extension (SPE) is already available on an Arm Linux system using Sysreport and kernel-level checks.
- Explain the hardware, platform, and kernel requirements that allow Linux to expose the SPE driver.
- Apply Linux-side changes such as loading the SPE PMU module, installing matching kernel modules, or selecting an OS/kernel with SPE support.
- Identify when a cloud instance does not expose SPE to the guest OS and choose a suitable system for Arm Performix memory access analysis.

### Prerequisites
Before starting, you'll need the following prerequisites:
- Access to a Linux-based Arm bare-metal system with sudo or root access, such as an Arm AGI CPU platform that exposes SPE. Cloud VMs typically don’t expose SPE to guest operating systems. Use a bare-metal (metal) instance from your cloud provider instead.
- Access to Arm Performix on your host machine and SSH access to the target system. For setup instructions, see the [Arm Performix install guide](https://learn.arm.com/install-guides/performix/).
- Familiarity with the Linux command line and SSH.