§2024-07-08

The choice between ext4 and XFS for storing JPEG or MP4 files in Linux depends on several factors, including your specific needs and use case. Here are some key considerations to help you decide:

• Ext4

  • Maturity and Stability: Ext4 is one of the most mature and stable file systems in Linux. It has been around for a long time and is well-supported.
  • Performance: Ext4 offers good performance for a wide range of workloads, including the storage of large numbers of files.
  • Compatibility: Ext4 is widely compatible with many tools and applications. It's a safe choice for most general purposes.
  • Features: Ext4 supports journaling, which helps protect against data corruption. It also supports extents for large files and has good recovery tools.

• XFS

  • Scalability and Performance: XFS is designed for high performance and scalability, particularly with very large files and file systems. It can handle large files and large numbers of files efficiently.
  • Parallel I/O: XFS performs well with workloads that require parallel I/O operations, which can be beneficial for media storage and streaming applications.
  • Allocation Groups: XFS uses allocation groups to manage free space, which can help improve performance with large file systems and large files.
  • Features: Like Ext4, XFS also supports journaling. Additionally, it has advanced features like online defragmentation and the ability to handle large files and directories very efficiently.

• Specific Use Cases

  • Storing Large Numbers of JPEG Files: Both Ext4 and XFS can handle large numbers of small files well. However, Ext4 might be simpler to manage and more than sufficient for typical use cases.
  • Storing Large MP4 Files: XFS might have an edge here due to its design for handling large files and high-performance parallel I/O operations. If you are dealing with large video files or need high throughput for video processing, XFS could be beneficial.

• Summary

  • For General Use: Ext4 is a solid, reliable choice and is often the default file system for many Linux distributions.
  • For High Performance and Large Files: XFS can provide better performance, especially if you are dealing with very large files or require high I/O throughput.

• In conclusion, if you are looking for a safe, general-purpose file system, Ext4 is likely the better choice. If you need high performance for large files or specific workloads, XFS might be more suitable.