[KLUG Members] Samba share with lots of files

[Bruce Smith]

> > ReiserFS handles large quantities of files in a directory much better
> > than ext2.
> > 
> > Although I've never tried a ReiserFS partition with Samba, I don't know
> > why it wouldn't work.  I don't think it should suffer the same problems
> > that ReiserFS has with NFS (at least I never heard of such a thing).
> > Worth a try IMO.
> > 
> Before I try it I'll have to accomplish a couple of things.  First I'll be required to
> have a partition to format as reiserfs.  

> Since I did not think ahead and partition the
> only drive in that machine with a little space. 

That's a problem.

> Second; I'll have to patch the kernel for reiserfs, not terrible but inconvenient. 

Not if you're running Redhat 7.2.  I have ReiserFS partitions on a
couple PC's, and I'm running the stock Redhat kernel.  (I don't remember
about earlier versions of Redhat)

> Third figure out another way to back the system
> up since I am backing that machine up via nfs.

I think you'll still be able to back it up.

My understanding is the NFS problems comes into play with a lot of users
accessing the directory at the same time.  (locking problems?)  Plus,
there are rumors of it being fixed, or at least much better than it used
to be.  I doubt a read-only backup would cause problems.

> I was sort of hoping someone would say something like: Just resort the directory in a
> cronjob every night with command resortcommand /path and it should do better.  Oh well.

You could reorganize your files into smaller groups in subdirectories,
but short of that, I don't know of any tricks to make ext2 faster.

--------------------------------------------
Bruce Smith                bruce@armintl.com
System Administrator / Network Administrator
Armstrong International, Inc.
Three Rivers, Michigan  49093  USA
http://www.armstrong-intl.com/
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