The EXT4 file-system today deprecated its journaled mode of the “data=journal” mount option. Following its deprecation, this mode is planned for removal in the year 2028.

The data=journal mode for EXT4 is where all file data and metadata is written to the file-system’s journal before being committed to the main file-system. In the event of a crash or power loss, the journal can then be replayed to recover the data.

The EXT4 data=journal mode is great for those very concerned about data integrity and safety but comes with significant hits to the write performance compared to the default ordered (data=ordered) mode or data=writeback. Using the journaled mode also disables delayed allocation and Direct I/O support.

EXT4 journal deprecated

Per today’s Git merge for Linux 7.3, the EXT4 data=journal feature is deprecated and support for it will be removed in early 2028 following the 2027 Linux LTS kernel version.

  • MonkderVierte@lemmy.zip
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    2 hours ago

    Okay, but no mention of alternative modes of operation for “those very concerned about data integrity and safety”?

  • Guiorgy@lemmy.ml
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    2 hours ago

    Wasn’t the journal the main selling point in the transition from EXT2 to EXT3? This seems kinda backwards, what even is the rational?

  • ms.lane@lemmy.world
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    3 hours ago

    What reason is there to use EXT4 if not for the journal?

    Just use F2FS or BTRFS at that point. (or ZFS if you’re fine with out-of-tree)

  • tiptoes@sh.itjust.works
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    12 hours ago

    That’s too bad. It was great for use as a root fs on VMware when you had an unreliable NFS storage. Kept every VM from needing an FSCK on recovery.