[ale] What file system for a software RAID array ?

Greg runman at speedfactory.net
Sat Jul 19 19:49:34 EDT 2003


Why do you like XFS ?  I have heard about it, but must confess my ignorance
about it.  I thought it was just the file system for SGI.  Of course now I
must investigate it, but I would really like someone's first hand input.

Greg

> -----Original Message-----
> From: ale-admin at ale.org [mailto:ale-admin at ale.org]On Behalf Of Danny Cox
> Sent: Saturday, July 19, 2003 6:39 PM
> To: ALE Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [ale] What file system for a software RAID array ?
>
>
> Greg & Matty,
>
> On Sat, 2003-07-19 at 17:46, Matty wrote:
> > On Sat, 2003-07-19 at 16:45, Greg wrote:
> > > 	I am currently installing 3 Maxtor 200GB HD's on a RH 7.3
> 2.96-113 box
> > > using the 2.4.20-18.7 kernel (w/an AMD 700MHz processor) and
> I want to use a
> > > software RAID 5 array.  I have heard that there are some
> problems with the
> > > ext3 fs and I was wondering if there is anyone who has any
> knowledge or
> > > experience on whether I should use the ext2 fs or the ext3
> fs. I understand
> > > the benefits of journaling, but since this is a simple file
> server for my
> > > family, I would rather have a rock solid system then a fast
> system.  I will
> > > also be using the RAID array with Samba.
> > >
> >
> > The ext3 file system is getting mature, and has been out for
> > some time. There were a couple issues with the journaling
> > implementation, but those have been fixed. If you are looking
> > for something easy to setup, ext3 is your friend. If you want
> > something that provides journaling and extent based allocation,
> > take a look at XFS and JFS.
>
> 	Just to add a lttle about XFS: I've been using it since
> November 2000,
> and it's had it's growing pains.  At first it didn't play well with RAID
> 5, 'cause it writes it's data in 4K chunks (like all the rest under
> Linux), but 512 byte chunks for the journal.  This caused the RAID 5
> driver to flush out it's cache switch it's buffer size, flush again, and
> resume the 4K size.  Needless to say, it gummed up the works.
>
> 	About 1.5 years ago, Steve Lord introduced a log version 2.
>  It writes
> in 4K chunks as well, and it and RAID 5 play well together now.  I'm
> been very pleased with it.  It's also the FS used in the Snap Appliance
> boxes currently selling now.
>
> --
> kernel, n.: A part of an operating system that preserves the
> medieval traditions of sorcery and black art.
>
> Danny
>
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