Results 1 to 2 of 2

Thread: kernel 2.4.20 ext3 data=journal

  1. #1
    Leftie Linux Lover the_JinX's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2001
    Location
    Beverwijk Netherlands
    Posts
    2,534

    kernel 2.4.20 ext3 data=journal

    I just installed kernel 2.4.20 ( wich is the same as 2.4.20rc-4 ) a couple of days ago and now I read
    this piece about a bug in the final 2.4.20 kernel..

    source: this article

    In 2.4.20-pre5 an optimisation was made to the ext3 fsync function
    which can very easily cause file data corruption at unmount time. This
    was first reported by Nick Piggin on November 29th (one day after 2.4.20 was
    released, and three months after the bug was merged. Unfortunate timing)

    This only affects filesystems which were mounted with the `data=journal'
    option. Or files which are operating under `chattr -j'. So most people
    are unaffected. The problem is not present in 2.5 kernels.
    Luckily now there is also a patch available ! !
    ASCII stupid question, get a stupid ANSI.
    When in Russia, pet a PETSCII.

    Get your ass over to SLAYRadio the best station for C64 Remixes !

  2. #2
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Posts
    1,207
    The way I understand it, it will only affect you if you use data=journal, and even then you only lose the last 30 seconds or so (before dismounting the fs at shutdown). The bug wasn't spotted earlier because almost noone uses data=journal as it slows the system down a lot and provides little gain.

    So it is *very* unlikely that you're affected, and even less likely that you have lost anything. Do you often save important files within 30 seconds of shutting down?

    It is not a serious worry.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •