F2FS Improvements For Linux 4.10: Performance Tuning, Multi-Device, ZBC

The F2FS file-system, the Flash-Friendly File-System, has some notable feature improvements to mention with the published pull request targeting Linux 4.10.

New F2FS work for Linux 4.10 includes some performance tuning around the I/O submission flow, ZBC-base drive support, and multiple device support. We previously covered the F2FS multi-device support so check out that article if you missed it from early November.

The ZAC/ZBC support is about supporting newer drives with the Zoned Block Command such as those using Shingled Magnetic Recording. The ZAC/ZBC upbringing has been ongoing the past few kernel release cycles. Those interested in learning more about Linux storage with ZAC/ZBC can see this slide deck by Western Digital about the support on Linux.

Aside from the performance tuning, there are also a number of bug-fixes too with this F2FS kernel driver update. More details on the exciting F2FS updates for Linux 4.10 can be found via the pull request.