Tips for managing Linux filesystems
SSHFS for Remote Filesystems
Mounting a filesystem locally via SSH is not rocket science with sshfs. You don't even need root privileges, after all sshfs is a FUSE:
$ sshfs tktest@192.168.56.105:/home/tktest ./sshdir/ tktest@192.168.56.105's password: $ cat /proc/mounts | grep ssh tktest@192.168.56.105:/home/tktest /home/user/tmp/sshdir \ fuse.sshfs rw,nosuid,nodev,relatime,user_id=1000,group_id=1000 0 0
In the preceding commands, an sshfs call is sufficient to mount the /home/tktest directory locally on the server 192.168.56.105. You can work with the target directory as with any other normal directory; the difference is that it is actually on the remote server.
As an alternative to the featured simple block devices, you can also created stackable block devices with Linux that offer additional features, such as the Logical Volume Manager (LVM), software RAID (md-raid), the Distributed Replicated Block Device (DRBD), or Device-Mapper targets.
Table 2
Filesystems Differences
| Ext3 | Ext4 | XFS | Btrfs |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Ready? |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Partially |
| Filesystem Tools |
2fsprogs |
e2fsprogs |
xfsprogs |
btrfs-progs |
| mke2fs, resize2fs, e2fsck, tune2fs |
mkfs.xfs, xfs_growfs, xfs_repair, xfs_admin |
mkfs.btrfs, btrfs resize, btrfsck, btrfs filesystem |
||
| Maximum Filesystem Size |
16 TiB |
1 EiB |
16 EiB |
16 EiB |
| Maximum File Size |
2 TiB |
1 EiB |
8 EiB |
8 EiB |
| Expanding on the Fly? |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Shrinking on the Fly? |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Expanding Offline? |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Shrinking Offline? |
Y |
Y |
N |
N |
| Discard (ATA trim) |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Metadata CRC |
Y |
Y |
Y |
Y |
| Data CRC |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
| Snapshots/clones/internal RAID/compression |
N |
N |
N |
Y |
Infos
- Understanding EXT4 extents: http://digital-forensics.sans.org/blog/2010/12/20/digital-forensics-understanding-ext4-part-1-extents/
- Ext4 kernel documentation https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/filesystems/ext4.txt
- Ext4 data loss: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/317781/comments/45/
« Previous 1 2 3
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
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
-
Linux Kernel Reducing Long-Term Support
LTS support for the Linux kernel is about to undergo some serious changes that will have a considerable impact on the future.
-
Fedora 39 Beta is Now Available for Testing
For fans and users of Fedora Linux, the first beta of release 39 is now available, which is a minor upgrade but does include GNOME 45.
-
Fedora Linux 40 to Drop X11 for KDE Plasma
When Fedora 40 arrives in 2024, there will be a few big changes coming, especially for the KDE Plasma option.
-
Real-Time Ubuntu Available in AWS Marketplace
Anyone looking for a Linux distribution for real-time processing could do a whole lot worse than Real-Time Ubuntu.
-
KSMBD Finally Reaches a Stable State
For those who've been looking forward to the first release of KSMBD, after two years it's no longer considered experimental.
-
Nitrux 3.0.0 Has Been Released
The latest version of Nitrux brings plenty of innovation and fresh apps to the table.
-
Linux From Scratch 12.0 Now Available
If you're looking to roll your own Linux distribution, the latest version of Linux From Scratch is now available with plenty of updates.
-
Linux Kernel 6.5 Has Been Released
The newest Linux kernel, version 6.5, now includes initial support for two very exciting features.
-
UbuntuDDE 23.04 Now Available
A new version of the UbuntuDDE remix has finally arrived with all the updates from the Deepin desktop and everything that comes with the Ubuntu 23.04 base.
-
Star Labs Reveals a New Surface-Like Linux Tablet
If you've ever wanted a tablet that rivals the MS Surface, you're in luck as Star Labs has created such a device.