A quick tip to improve performance on an ext3 based file system. Change from the default Ordered(file contents are written to disk before associated meta-data is marked as committed in the journal. default with ext3) method of journaling to the Writeback method (meta-data is journaled but file-contents are not.) Writeback is much faster but you can get out of order writes after a crash, so dont do it on a production level system. Here’s how: (note: I highly recommend making a back up of your filesystem before you attempt this. Otherwise, I offer no warranty with this 
)
sudo nano /etc/fstab
Now, you should see a similar line to this:
/dev/hdc2 / ext3 defaults,errors=remount-ro,noatime, 0 1
That’s the mount line of your filesystem for the root system. After the last mod entry (noatime,) in this case, type the following:
data=writeback
After entering the line, hold down Ctrl+O to write out the line to /fstab, and finally type Ctrl+X to quit nano. I fully recommend using nano over one of the various GUI editors like kate or gedit, primarly because there’ll come a time when you need to be able to use a text based editor.
Finally, we need to change the actual journaling mode of ext3 to writeback through the following:
sudo tune2fs - o journal_data_writeback /dev/hdc2 (replace hdc2 with ur drive)
Thats it, if you wish to double check its switched just type
sudo tune2fs -I /dev/hdc2
permalink •
•
zero comments
“We are told to remember the idea, not the man. Because a man can fail. He can be killed and forgotten. But four hundred years later an idea can still change the world. I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of ideas. I’ve seen people kill in the name of them; and die defending them. But you cannot touch an idea, cannot hold it or kiss it. An idea does not bleed, it cannot feel pain, and it does not love. And it is not an idea that I miss, it is a man. A man who made me remember the fifth of November. A man I will never forget”. - V for Vendetta
Such a long time its been. I’ve been away for a long time dear readers, the few we have I’m sure. It was an exile though self-imposed. I disappeared for my sanity.
I disappeared from the blogs, the forums, the internet chat rooms. The messaging clients and even, most sadly, from my own friends.
I’m still not quite sure why I did it. Maybe it was an attempt at coping with my depression, something I didn’t know how to face. I can help friends through death of a loved one, or dirty breakups, or silly little schoolyard fights but help myself through something that doesn’t have a name, or a face? Rather, what rests inside me? That was far harder.
Stepping back was hard, and most of all it was probably the wrong choice. I recognize that now. I closed myself off from all the avenues I’d built before for just such an eventuality. If it hadn’t been for the love of my family, and my girl-friend, I might very well not be here righting this now. Ironic, I suppose.
I am here now, however. Finally updating on this blog, restoring possibly a bit of something more than knitting and high-brow, academia based tongue-in-cheek humor.
I’ve got alot to say, and plenty of time in which to do so. I’ve broadened my interests lately, finally picking back up my camera (now a nice, shiny, Kodak P850), my pen, and even the New York Times on occasion. Politics, technology, sexuality, all are topics I’ve been thinking alot on.
Work is a topic I’ve much to say on as well. I’m working at Staples again, full time, and I might very well be the Office Equipment specialist in short order, adding yet another duty to my ERT (Easy Resident Tech) specialist position and I’ll have much to say on both the company, some of its policies, and even on the ERT program itself. Writings I hope to eventually pass on to the higher-ups in the company. Time will tell I suppose.
permalink •
•
one comment