Life and times of the classic ext Linux filesystem
When Linus Torvalds developed the first early versions of Linux in 1991, he used the Minix filesystem by Andrew S. Tanenbaum. The Minix filesystem was part of the legacy of the Minix Unix clone [1], which Tanenbaum created for teaching purposes. Some restrictions, such as a maximum file name length of 14 characters or the file size limit of 64MB, gave rise to the need for a filesystem specially developed for Linux: The birth of the Extended Filesystem, or ext, followed shortly afterward.
French software developer Rémy Card released the first version of ext in 1992, making it possible to save files of up to 2GB on Linux. The permissible length for file names grew to 255 characters. Although ext got many things right in the first version, it was hardly up to professional requirements. For some applications, ext suffered from severe fragmentation, and it was impossible to store different timestamps for access and modifications of the inode and file.
Successor Ext2
When designing ext2, the developers adopted many best practices and principles of the then-widespread Unix Berkeley Fast File System [2]: Accordingly, an ext2 filesystem divides the storage medium into blocks from a logical perspective, then strings the blocks together. The default block size is 4KB.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Kali Linux Waxes Nostalgic with BackTrack Mode
For those who've used Kali Linux since its inception, the changes with the new release are sure to put a smile on your face.
-
Gnome 50 Smooths Out NVIDIA GPU Issues
Gamers rejoice, your favorite pastime just got better with Gnome 50 and NVIDIA GPUs.
-
System76 Retools Thelio Desktop
The new Thelio Mira has landed with improved performance, repairability, and front-facing ports alongside a high-quality tempered glass facade.
-
Some Linux Distros Skirt Age Verification Laws
After California introduced an age verification law recently, open source operating system developers have had to get creative with how they deal with it.
-
UN Creates Open Source Portal
In a quest to strengthen open source collaboration, the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology has created a new portal.
-
Latest Linux Kernel RC Contains Changes Galore
Linux kernel 7.0-rc3 includes more changes than have been made in a single release in recent history.
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.