Improving file system performance utilizing dynamic record sizes in ZFS

Improving file system performance utilizing dynamic record sizes in ZFS

ZFS is a next generation filesystem that is able to scale and manage complex datasets. Many of the typical constraints within other filesystems have been addressed, such as maximum size, performance, and reliability. Solaris provides this set of features in its advanced Solaris 10 operating system, and it is definitely worth utilizing.

The ZFS filesystem has many attributes that make handling dynamic file systems considerably easier. One of which is being able to dynamically change the record size of data that is to be written. Tuning the filesystem attributes that control this feature will not only improve performance, but can also save on space.

The default record size ZFS utilizes is 128K, which is good for many storage servers that will harbor larger files. However, when dealing with many files that are only a matter of tens of kilobytes, or even bytes, considerable slowdown will result. ZFS can easily alter the record size of the data to be written through the use of attributes. These attributes can be set at any time through the use of the "zfs set" command. To set the record size attribute perform "zfs set recordsize=32K pool/share". This will set the recordsize to 32K on share "share" within pool "pool". This type of functionality can even be implemented on nested shares for even more flexibility.

This attribute based approach allows an administrator to change the size as needed depending on what type of tiles they are working with. Once performed, zfs will dynamically write the data hence forward with that record size until re-adjusted. It can be run at any time, and adjusted anytime up to the maximum of 128K. One can even go as far to set different record sizes for different pools or shares. These changes will even be incorporated into zfs snapshots, so any replicated data will behave in the same fashion.

To verify what record size is currently being used you can utilize the "zfs get". The command will look as follows "zfs get recordsize pool/share". This will return the given recordsize on a pool "pool" and a share "share". Also be sure to see what other attributes are available for use. Many of them can be highly beneficial, such as file system compression, deduplication, and creating NFS shares.

ZFS provides several tools manage complex datasets with flexibility, scalability, and ease. And is therefore the filesystem of choice for any data that requires a lot of attention.

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