Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 16/07/10 21:18, Rob Beard wrote: [...] Is the Extents where it allocates space for big files? (I found something about this when googling about EXT4). I wonder too if it's possible to go back to EXT3 from EXT4 like it is possible to go back from EXT3 to EXT2 (how I understand it, EXT3 is EXT2 with journalling). Hello, Rob. Tyler has already answered your question about extents, and I also think you would be best to avoid converting your ext3 filesystems unless you have no alternative. I was faced with a similar situation with our ext3 filesystems, but I decided to backup, reformat as ext4 and restore. Although this was more work than converting ext3, I think it is worth it in the longer term. HTH, Tony. -- Dr. A.J.Travis, University of Aberdeen, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, Scotland, UK tel +44(0)1224 712751, fax +44(0)1224 716687, http://www.rowett.ac.uk mailto:a.tra...@abdn.ac.uk, http://bioinformatics.rri.sari.ac.uk/~ajt -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 19/07/10 13:27, Tony Travis wrote: On 16/07/10 21:18, Rob Beard wrote: [...] Is the Extents where it allocates space for big files? (I found something about this when googling about EXT4). I wonder too if it's possible to go back to EXT3 from EXT4 like it is possible to go back from EXT3 to EXT2 (how I understand it, EXT3 is EXT2 with journalling). Hello, Rob. Tyler has already answered your question about extents, and I also think you would be best to avoid converting your ext3 filesystems unless you have no alternative. I was faced with a similar situation with our ext3 filesystems, but I decided to backup, reformat as ext4 and restore. Although this was more work than converting ext3, I think it is worth it in the longer term. HTH, Tony. Yep thinking about it I agree with what you said. Okay it took a long time to backup (I left it running overnight) but the actual restore didn't take half as long and my machine is much snappier now. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 16/07/2010 21:31, Tyler J. Wagner wrote: On Friday 16 July 2010 21:18:47 Rob Beard wrote: Is the Extents where it allocates space for big files? (I found something about this when googling about EXT4). Extents are a method of pre-allocating space to avoid fragmentation. ext4 will be faster for copying large files. Regards, Tyler Well I went ahead with EXT4 and you're right, it is much quicker at copying the files back over. Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 16/07/10 20:53, Rob Beard wrote: [...] Now at the moment I've got my drive formatted to EXT3, I gather I can convert from EXT3 to EXT4 (but I'm going to reformat the drive anyway) but I wondered basically if I might be better going for EXT4 this time? Hello, Rob. Yes, you can convert from ext3 to ext4, but you do not get 'extents' for the existing files. Extents are one of the major advantages of ext4, so I would definitely reformat your drive instead of converting. Another advantage of ext4 is it's a lot quicker to fsck filesystems. Bye, Tony. -- Dr. A.J.Travis, University of Aberdeen, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, Greenburn Road, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, Scotland, UK tel +44(0)1224 712751, fax +44(0)1224 716687, http://www.rowett.ac.uk mailto:a.tra...@abdn.ac.uk, http://bioinformatics.rri.sari.ac.uk/~ajt -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 16/07/10 21:09, Tony Travis wrote: On 16/07/10 20:53, Rob Beard wrote: [...] Now at the moment I've got my drive formatted to EXT3, I gather I can convert from EXT3 to EXT4 (but I'm going to reformat the drive anyway) but I wondered basically if I might be better going for EXT4 this time? Hello, Rob. Yes, you can convert from ext3 to ext4, but you do not get 'extents' for the existing files. Extents are one of the major advantages of ext4, so I would definitely reformat your drive instead of converting. Another advantage of ext4 is it's a lot quicker to fsck filesystems. Is the Extents where it allocates space for big files? (I found something about this when googling about EXT4). I wonder too if it's possible to go back to EXT3 from EXT4 like it is possible to go back from EXT3 to EXT2 (how I understand it, EXT3 is EXT2 with journalling). Ta, Rob -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On Friday 16 July 2010 20:53:56 Rob Beard wrote: So considering the large files, would anyone recommend EXT3 or EXT4? Tony outlined the problem with upgrading ext3 to ext4, so I have just this to add: use ext4. There is no reason, exempting some fears caused by problems in early releases, not to use it. It's faster in almost every way. Format ext4 from the start, and you'll be happy. I really, really cannot wait for btrfs. :) Tyler -- A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. -- Lazarus Long, Time Enough for Love, by Robert A. Heinlein -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On Friday 16 July 2010 21:18:47 Rob Beard wrote: Is the Extents where it allocates space for big files? (I found something about this when googling about EXT4). Extents are a method of pre-allocating space to avoid fragmentation. ext4 will be faster for copying large files. Regards, Tyler -- A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects. -- Lazarus Long, Time Enough for Love, by Robert A. Heinlein -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
Re: [ubuntu-uk] EXT3 or EXT4
On 16 July 2010 21:21, Tyler J. Wagner ty...@tolaris.com wrote: I really, really cannot wait for btrfs. :) Tyler Why wait? It works already - I have my Maverick / as btrfs. It is, however, noticeably slower than EXT4 in certain situations at the moment. Jonathon -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
