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NAME
filesystems - Linux filesystem types: ext, ext2, ext3, ext4, hpfs, iso9660, JFS, minix,
msdos, ncpfs nfs, ntfs, proc, Reiserfs, smb, sysv, umsdos, vfat, XFS, xiafs,
DESCRIPTION
When, as is customary, the proc filesystem is mounted on /proc, you can find in the file
/proc/filesystems which filesystems your kernel currently supports; see proc(5) for more
details. If you need a currently unsupported filesystem, insert the corresponding module
or recompile the kernel.
In order to use a filesystem, you have to mount it; see mount(8).
Below a short description of the available or historically available filesystems in Linux
kernel See kernel documentation for a comprehensive description of all options and
limitations.
ext is an elaborate extension of the minix filesystem. It has been completely
superseded by the second version of the extended filesystem (ext2) and has been
removed from the kernel (in 2.1.21).
ext2 is the high performance disk filesystem used by Linux for fixed disks as well as
removable media. The second extended filesystem was designed as an extension of
the extended filesystem (ext). See ext2 (5).
ext3 is a journaling version of the ext2 filesystem. It is easy to switch back and
forth between ext2 and ext3. See ext3 (5).
ext4 is a set of upgrades to ext3 including substantial performance and reliability
enhancements, plus large increases in volume, file, and directory size limits.
See ext4 (5).
hpfs is the High Performance Filesystem, used in OS/2. This filesystem is read-only
under Linux due to the lack of available documentation.
iso9660 is a CD-ROM filesystem type conforming to the ISO 9660 standard.
High Sierra
Linux supports High Sierra, the precursor to the ISO 9660 standard for
CD-ROM filesystems. It is automatically recognized within the iso9660
filesystem support under Linux.
Rock Ridge
Linux also supports the System Use Sharing Protocol records specified by
the Rock Ridge Interchange Protocol. They are used to further describe
the files in the iso9660 filesystem to a UNIX host, and provide
information such as long filenames, UID/GID, POSIX permissions, and
devices. It is automatically recognized within the iso9660 filesystem
support under Linux.
JFS is a journaling filesystem, developed by IBM, that was integrated into Linux in
kernel 2.4.24.
minix is the filesystem used in the Minix operating system, the first to run under
Linux. It has a number of shortcomings, including a 64MB partition size limit,
short filenames, and a single timestamp. It remains useful for floppies and RAM
disks.
msdos is the filesystem used by DOS, Windows, and some OS/2 computers. msdos
filenames can be no longer than 8 characters, followed by an optional period and
3 character extension.
ncpfs is a network filesystem that supports the NCP protocol, used by Novell NetWare.
To use ncpfs, you need special programs, which can be found at
⟨ftp://linux01.gwdg.de/pub/ncpfs⟩.
nfs is the network filesystem used to access disks located on remote computers.
ntfs replaces Microsoft Window's FAT filesystems (VFAT, FAT32). It has reliability,
performance, and space-utilization enhancements plus features like ACLs,
journaling, encryption, and so on.
proc is a pseudo filesystem which is used as an interface to kernel data structures
rather than reading and interpreting /dev/kmem. In particular, its files do not
take disk space. See proc(5).
Reiserfs is a journaling filesystem, designed by Hans Reiser, that was integrated into
Linux in kernel 2.4.1.
smb is a network filesystem that supports the SMB protocol, used by Windows for
Workgroups, Windows NT, and Lan Manager.
To use smb fs, you need a special mount program, which can be found in the
ksmbfs package, found at ⟨ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/system/Filesystems
/smbfs⟩.
sysv is an implementation of the SystemV/Coherent filesystem for Linux. It
implements all of Xenix FS, SystemV/386 FS, and Coherent FS.
umsdos is an extended DOS filesystem used by Linux. It adds capability for long
filenames, UID/GID, POSIX permissions, and special files (devices, named pipes,
etc.) under the DOS filesystem, without sacrificing compatibility with DOS.
vfat is an extended DOS filesystem used by Microsoft Windows95 and Windows NT. vfat
adds the capability to use long filenames under the MSDOS filesystem.
XFS is a journaling filesystem, developed by SGI, that was integrated into Linux in
kernel 2.4.20.
xiafs was designed and implemented to be a stable, safe filesystem by extending the
Minix filesystem code. It provides the basic most requested features without
undue complexity. The xiafs filesystem is no longer actively developed or
maintained. It was removed from the kernel in 2.1.21.
SEE ALSO
ext2(5), ext3(5), ext4(5), proc(5), fsck(8), mkfs(8), mount(8)
COLOPHON
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