In most file systems, the first block is used for the Boot Sector and the second block is used for Inodes (the table of pointers that locate data on the disk). The rest of the disk is used for actual data.
- EXT (latest version: EXT4)
- The most popular and widely supported Linux file system.
- Improves storage of large files through the concept of “Extents”, which uses sequential blocks to prevent data fragmentation.
- Prevents data corruption and allows easier system recovery via journaling (32-bit).
- Uses buffering to reduce fragmentation and improve performance, and supports defragmentation while mounted.
- XFS (popular in enterprise environments)
- A 64-bit journaling file system designed for large amounts of data and high throughput.
- Supports defragmentation and resizing while mounted (without unmounting).
- ZFS (combined file system)
- Supports very large storage sizes by combining multiple physical drives into storage pools.
- Features journaling, checksums, snapshots, RAID-Z, and automatic silent repair of corrupted data.
- Proprietary.
- Btrfs (high-performance copy-on-write)
- Open-source and widely considered the future next-generation industry standard due to its broad feature set.
- Similar to ZFS but without the same maximum storage size limits. Offers transparent compression and SSD optimization.
- Copy-on-write means data is never overwritten directly when modified, which prevents corruption in the event of power loss or other failures.
- Includes a tool to convert EXT2/3/4 file systems to Btrfs.