No BTRFS In Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat After all

Btrfs is a new copy on write file system for Linux aimed at implementing advanced features while focusing on fault tolerance, repair and easy administration. More info, here.

A while ago we were telling you there are 20% chances to get BTRFS support in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat. Well, it didn't make it.

BTRFS was (it probably still is) available in the Ubuntu 10.10 installer but unfortunately an update today to the BTRFS Support blueprint says it has been deferred for competition in Natty (Ubuntu 11.04) as there's not enough time to complete all the remaining work for Maverick.

A while ago, Phoronix ran some tests comparing BTRFS and EXT4 and the results were pretty impressive. However, there are some things they didn't consider in their tests (also read the comments on that post).

BTRFS + Compression: A Lot Faster Than EXT4 [Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat]

BTRFS support for the installer came in Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat a few days ago so the folks @ Phoronix ran some tests comparing BTRFS and EXT4.

The results between BTRFS with the default options and EXT4 were pretty close but once the zlib compression was activated (this feature is only available for BTRFS), BTRFS was 2x faster than EXT4 in the 4GB write IOzone test and 4x faster than EXT4 for the 4GB read IOzone test.

Check out the full tests results @ Phoronix.


Update: the results for this test may be wrong. Also, it seems BTRFS has a serious bug. Read the comments below!

[image credits: Phoronix]

BTRFS Ready For Testing In Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

Btrfs is a new copy on write file system for Linux aimed at implementing advanced features while focusing on fault tolerance, repair and easy administration. More info, here.

Colin Watson (Ubuntu Development Manager) just announced on the Ubuntu-Devel mailing list that you can now perform installations with a BTRFS root filesystem using the latest Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat daily ISO (only available in the alternate ISO!).

The BTRFS fileystem is only available through the manual partitioning for now. Also, you cannot boot from a BTRFS filesystem for now (although the devs are working on it) - just like I was telling you when we tested MeeGo, so you must create a separate /boot partition (ext3 or ext4) and set it as the boot partition.


Even though it seems Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat will get BTRFS support after all, Ext4 will remain the default filesystem in Maverick.


Important: this is only available for testing purposes for now. Be very careful as it may erase all your data!

20% Chances To Get BTRFS In Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat

Scott James Remnant - Ubuntu Development Manager -, posted something very interesting on his blog regarding BTRFS and Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat.

But first, what is BTRFS? Btrfs is a new copy on write file system for Linux aimed at implementing advanced features while focusing on fault tolerance, repair and easy administration. Initially developed by Oracle, Btrfs is licensed under the GPL and open for contribution from anyone. BTRFS is still under heavy development. A lot more on BTRFS, here.

It seems (according to Scott) that BTRFS has a 20% chance to make it into Ubuntu 10.10 Maverick Meerkat, these being the decisive factors:

1. btrfs would need to not be marked “experimental” in the kernel config; this is planned for 2.6.35, which is the kernel version to shipped in Maverick (most probably).
2. btrfs is not currently supported by GRUB2 or the installer; these pieces would need to be finished before Feature Freeze.
3. If that happens, BTRFS might be made default for Alpha releases to gain testing; that testing must go smoothly.
4. Both the BTRFS and Ubuntu developers must be comfortable with the idea
   

It’s a tough gauntlet, and it would only made with the knowledge that production servers and desktops can be run on Lucid as a fully supported version of Ubuntu at the same time. I’d give it a 1-in-5 chance.

-Scott James Remnant

This really seems like something to keep an eye on. We'll keep you posted of its progress.