File Systems Compared

To be able to store information on a data carrier, it must be contained in a file. In order for the corresponding data to be retrievable, a file system provides a storage structure. How this works exactly and what different file systems exist is the subject of the following article.

What is a File System?

A file system - also known as a filesystem - is a storage structure on a storage medium. It organises the reading, writing, searching, editing, or deleting of files on the storage. Through a file system, files can be uniquely identified and quickly and specifically accessed by users. Thus, the software acts as an important interface between the operating system and the connected drives.

To install a file system on a storage device, it must be formatted. It doesn't matter whether it is a traditional HDD hard drive or a SSD or NVMe medium. The compatibility with the operating system is crucial for choosing the file system.

Usually, purchased storage media are already delivered with a functional file system. Through formatting, the system can be adjusted or changed accordingly.

What File Systems Are There?

There are a variety of solutions for structuring data. Each file system has different advantages and disadvantages that should be weighed against each other depending on the application area. Not every solution is suitable for every operating system. Additionally, file systems are not compatible with each other. This can be particularly important when, for example, ensuring regular data exchange between a Windows desktop PC and a Linux server. Therefore, the file system can also play a role in the decision between Windows or Linux web hosting.

However, all file systems have in common that they organise files in a tree structure on the storage. This means that various subdirectories and folders branch off from a root directory.

The three most important file systems are as follows:

• FAT32
• NTFS
• APFS

File System FAT32

FAT32 was developed by Microsoft in 1996 and designed as a file system for Windows. It is an extension of the previous version FAT16. Specifically, this means that partitions up to 512 MB are created with FAT16. Both systems are possible between 512 MB and 2 GB. Only FAT32 can be used from 2 GB onwards.

Although the file system was designed for Windows, it is also compatible with other operating systems such as Mac OS, Linux, or FreeDOS. Driver installation may be required for Unix-like systems.

A major disadvantage of FAT32 is that the maximum file size is limited to 4 GB. However, this problem was resolved with the development of exFAT in 2006, and larger files are no longer an issue with this file system.

Furthermore, individual partitions under FAT32 can only be created with a storage volume of 8 TB. This means that the file system quickly reaches its limits in today's world, as video files or ISO images now require storage devices with large capacities. Even WordPress users who rely on backups of extensive web projects - for example, before manual or automatic WordPress updates or for data recovery after DDoS attacks - could encounter problems with FAT32.

Nevertheless, the file system is still very common and is mainly used for mobile removable media such as external hard drives, memory cards, or USB sticks.

FAT32 Overview

• Compatible with Windows 95, FreeDOS, many Linux distributions, and Mac OS
• Maximum file size: 4 GB
• Larger files possible with exFAT
• Maximum partition size: 8 TB

NTFS File System

NTFS stands for New Technology File System and was introduced in 1993 for the Windows NT operating system. Since Windows Vista, it has been the default file system on Windows PCs.

Compared to the FAT file system, NTFS has several advantages. For example, file sizes of up to 256 TB are possible by default. Additionally, NTFS offers the option for data compression, which can free up more space on the storage.

However, the key advantage of NTFS lies in data security. The file system provides data encryption and the management of access rights to files. Therefore, the file system is particularly interesting for administrators who want to protect a server from threats such as cybercrime.

NTFS Overview

• Suitable for large storage devices with high storage volume
• Files up to 256 TB possible
• High data security through file encryption and access rights management
• Data compression possible

APFS File System

In 2016, Apple introduced the APFS file system, which replaced the predecessor HFS. Initially, it was only available for iOS version 10.3 from March 2017. It was not until the "High Sierra" version that APFS was also implemented into Mac OS and has been the standard since then.

APFS is optimised for flash storage such as SSDs. While it is technically possible to use it on HDD hard drives, it is not recommended.

Space Sharing allows for optimal utilization of disk storage. Each partition has access to the entire storage capacity of the physical drive.
An example for clarification: On a physical drive of 150 GB, two partitions are installed. Partition A occupies 20 GB and Partition B occupies 80 GB. The free space of both partitions is then indicated as 50 GB. This allows for dynamic resizing of APFS drives without the need for repartitioning.

APFS also offers file encryption capabilities.

APFS Overview

• High data security through data encryption
• Space Sharing for optimal storage utilization
• Optimised for SSD and flash drives
• Compatible with Mac OS and iOS

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