File System Implementation - Deep Dive into Persistent Storage Management - Operating Systems
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File System Implementation - Deep Dive into Persistent Storage Management

File System Implementation - Deep Dive into Persistent Storage Management

The chapter provides an in-depth exploration of file system implementation in operating systems, focusing on the architecture, metadata structures, directory management, various file allocation methods, and free-space management. It emphasizes the layered structure of file systems, the essential metadata necessary for file operations, and different strategies to efficiently manage disk resources.

25 sections

Sections

Navigate through the learning materials and practice exercises.

  1. 8
    File System Implementation - Deep Dive Into Persistent Storage Management

    This section provides an extensive overview of file system implementation,...

  2. 8.1
    File System Structure - The Architectural Blueprint Of Data Persistence

    This section delves into the layered architecture of file systems, outlining...

  3. 8.1.1
    Layers Of The File System: A Hierarchical Abstraction

    This section discusses the layered architecture of modern file systems,...

  4. 8.1.1.1
    Application Programs (User Interface Layer)

    This section explores the role of application programs in interacting with...

  5. 8.1.1.2
    Logical File System (File-Organization Module)

    The Logical File System layer translates user file operations into...

  6. 8.1.1.3
    Basic File System (I/o Control Layer)

    This section discusses the Basic File System (I/O Control Layer) as a...

  7. 8.1.1.4
    Device Drivers

    Device drivers are the crucial software layer that facilitates communication...

  8. 8.1.1.5
    Hardware (Storage Devices)

    This section discusses the physical components of storage devices integral...

  9. 8.1.2
    On-Disk Structure: Essential Metadata For File System Operation

    This section explains the critical metadata structures required for file...

  10. 8.1.2.1

    The Boot Block is a critical component located at the beginning of a disk...

  11. 8.1.2.2
    Super Block (Or Volume Control Block)

    The Super Block is a critical metadata structure in file systems, essential...

  12. 8.1.2.3
    Inodes (Index Nodes - Unix-Like File Systems) / File Control Blocks (Fcbs - General Term)

    Inodes and File Control Blocks are critical structures that store metadata...

  13. 8.1.2.4

    This section outlines the internal structures and metadata associated with...

  14. 8.2
    Directory Implementation - The Catalog Of Files

    This section focuses on the implementation of directories in file systems,...

  15. 8.2.1
    Linear List (Of Directory Entries)

    This section covers the linear list implementation of directory entries in...

  16. 8.2.2
    Hash Table (For Directory Entries)

    This section discusses the implementation of directories using hash tables,...

  17. 8.3
    Allocation Methods - Managing File Data On Disk

    This section details the different allocation methods for storing file data...

  18. 8.3.1
    Contiguous Allocation

    Contiguous allocation is a method where each file occupies a single,...

  19. 8.3.2
    Linked Allocation

    Linked allocation allows files to be stored as a linked list of disk blocks,...

  20. 8.3.3
    Indexed Allocation

    Indexed allocation is a file management method where all pointers to a...

  21. 8.4
    Free-Space Management - Keeping Tabs On Unused Disk Space

    This section discusses methods for effectively tracking free disk space,...

  22. 8.4.1
    Bit Map (Bit Vector)

    This section explains the concept of bit maps as a method for managing free...

  23. 8.4.2
    Linked List (Of Free Blocks)

    This section discusses the linked list method for managing free disk blocks...

  24. 8.4.3

    Grouping improves free space management in file systems by storing addresses...

  25. 8.4.4

    The counting method in free-space management optimizes the allocation of...

What we have learnt

  • File systems act as an abstraction layer between applications and physical storage devices.
  • The layered architecture of file systems promotes modular design and separation of concerns.
  • Various file allocation methods, including contiguous, linked, and indexed allocation, impact performance and space utilization.

Key Concepts

-- File System Structure
The logical and modular architecture that organizes how data is stored, managed, and accessed on storage devices.
-- Metadata
Data that describes other data, such as file attributes, locations, and permissions, essential for managing files in a file system.
-- Allocation Methods
Strategies used by operating systems to assign physical disk blocks for file storage, including contiguous, linked, and indexed methods.
-- FreeSpace Management
Techniques used to track and manage unused disk space to optimize file storage and retrieval operations.

Additional Learning Materials

Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.