What filesystem should I use?

Question

I just switched over from Windows 7 to Kubuntu 11.10, and I'm wondering what I should do with my external hard drive, which I use primarily for short/medium length backup. Because it was originally formatted by Windows, the drive (which is 1 TB) has the NTFS filesystem. Now that I use Linux, I am able to use both NTFS and ext4. However, I'm thinking of formatting the external drive to ext4 because I've heard good things about it. So is that true? What kinds of things can ext4 do that NTFS can't and Vice Versa? I know ext4 can handle larger file sizes and doesn't need to be defragmented as often, but what else (and are there any downsides)?

And should I even change the filesystem? I'm never planning to use that drive with Windows again. 10 points for most complete answer!

Answer 1

the choice is yours,



my externals are ntfs, mainly because i have a windows laptop and because i triple boot with xp as one of the operating systems (my main system is linux),

so its easier than installing ext2fs on all windows that i use,



regarding fragmentation, linux is a logical operating system, there is no fragmentation - even on ntfs drives,



there is a maximum file size limit for ntfs - its 16gb, ext4 is 16tb,

i doubt the limit on ntfs will be cause for concern,



there really is not much difference in the choice of file system - apart from personal preference,



i prefer ext3 and ntfs as i use partimage for imaging and there is no support for ext4,



if it works - leave it as it is

Answer 2

Having an vfat or ntfs filessystem can be handy sometimes. If you have a thumb drive for cross-platform transfers, then keeping a 1TB drive around only for that reason seems a bit overkill. So you may as well format for ext4.



On the other hand, if you are using the 1 TB for backups (tarballs for example), from Linux, then really what is the difference? You may as well leave it ntfs.



I find rsync backups work a little better when both sides are the same fstype.

Answer 3

It depends on what you will be using the data for. If you won't be using Windows again ( which believe me you will), then it is safe to use ext4 but if the drive has to be read by a Windows machine -- EVER -- there is NO WAY Micro$oft will allow Windows to read any file system they are not responsible for.