Re: Phoronix article slaming BTRFS

Bron Gondwana
2009-06-25T01:32:56Z

On Wed, Jun 24, 2009 at 12:57:40PM +0000, Mike Ramsey wrote:
> Bron Gondwana <brong <at> fastmail.fm> writes:
> > Meaning that nobody can turn off the write cache in linux without deep kernel
> > hackery.
>
> I would say this differently. "Meaning that nobody can turn off the write cache
> in linux without applying the known fixes to libata."

Depending on the environment you're in, building a non-default kernel
can be tricky.

> > Sounds to me like they are benchmarking the real world rather than trying to
> favour btrfs by making changes
> > that are unlikely to be viable for anyone trying to run it in production.
> I.e. they're benchmarking reality.
>
> Real world is running kernel software that is compatible with the unit under
> test. Benchmarking Butters with a broken kernel is not real world; it's unfair.

Well, yeah. The world's full of unfair stuff. I would find this valuable
information to have if I had a kernel of that vintage.

> > Sure there are ways that btrfs performance could be improved, but they're not
> realistically available to
> > mortals selecting "use btrfs for /home" in their Ubuntu "Bleeding-Edge Badger"
> release.
>
> Butters is experimental. Currently, it should only be used under adult
> supervision. I am looking forward to the day that Butters can be used by
> novices when they click http://www.ubuntu.com/products/GetUbuntu/download

Yeah, that would be nice. I still use reiser3 in locations where I need a
good all-round filesystem.

Bron ( who probably should get a current kernel again - but the .30rcs were
causing fun and games with my soundcard and I didn't have time to go
debuggerising them )