File systems are an integral part of any operating system. They allow users to upload and store files, provide access to data, and make hard drives useful. Different operating systems differ in their native file system. Traditionally, the native FreeBSD file system has been the Unix File System UFS which has been modernized as UFS2. Since FreeBSD 7.0, the Z File System (ZFS) is also available as a native file system. See Chapter 19, The Z File System (ZFS) for more information.
In addition to its native file systems, FreeBSD supports a multitude of other file systems so that data from other operating systems can be accessed locally, such as data stored on locally attached USB storage devices, flash drives, and hard disks. This includes support for the Linux® Extended File System (EXT).
There are different levels of FreeBSD support for the various file systems. Some require a kernel module to be loaded and others may require a toolset to be installed. Some non-native file system support is full read-write while others are read-only.
After reading this chapter, you will know:
The difference between native and supported file systems.
Which file systems are supported by FreeBSD.
How to enable, configure, access, and make use of non-native file systems.
Before reading this chapter, you should:
Understand UNIX® and FreeBSD basics.
Be familiar with the basics of kernel configuration and compilation.
Feel comfortable installing software in FreeBSD.
Have some familiarity with disks, storage, and device names in FreeBSD.
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