Ext2 IFS

[ha14]

Hi

Ext2 IFS (pronoonced Ext to ifs) For Windows is a tool that lets you access your Linux files while you're booted up in Windows. As the name would suggest, you can access your Linux ext2 filesystem from Windows. This is real access, too—it supports both read- and write for your files. The ext2/3 partition simply appears as a normal drive within My Computer. (you can even choose a drive letter for it!)

Since it is executed on the same software layer at the Windows NT operating system core like all of the native file system drivers of Windows (for instance NTFS, FASTFAT, or CDFS for Joliet/ISO CD-ROMs), all applications can access directly to Ext2 volumes. Files, and directories of an Ext2 volume appear in file dialogs of all applications. There is no need to copy files from or to Ext2 volumes in order to work with them.


And if you're a more advanced Linux user and have an ext3 filesystem, that's fine too. You access it in the same way, you just don't get the journaling support that comes with ext3. Your Linux volumes get Windows-style drive letters, and every application on your system can access your data directly.


Whats New version 1.11a
1)Improved plug-n-play behavior
With Ext2 IFS version 1.11, drive letter management is significantly improved: When a removable device, e.g. an external USB hard disk drive, is unplugged, drive letters for that device are automatically deleted.
---When the device is reconnected, the drive letter it once had is retained. A partition to which no drive letter is assigned in the "IFS Drives" item on the control panel will remain without drive letter even if the corresponding storage device is dis- and reconnected — exactly as specified.
---Thus, drive letters should not be deleted in the "IFS Drives" item on the control panel before unplugging devices, as was the case with Ext2 IFS 1.10. This offers the convenience of automatic creation of drive letters when devices are reconnected.
---With Windows XP or higher, the "IFS Drives" item on the control panel has an additional option:
"Automatically assign drive letter when connecting a device for the first time".
---This option decides what happens when a device, e.g. an external USB hard disk drive, is plugged in for the first time (after installation of the Ext2 IFS 1.11 software): When this feature is enabled, drive letters are created for all (non-Windows) partitions of the device. Otherwise you have to create drive letters manually in the "IFS Drives" item on the control panel, but only once initially.

2)Hibernate (suspend to disk)
---You can use hibernate (suspend to disk) in Windows only if you resume Windows subsequently. Furthermore, you can use hibernate (suspend to disk) in Linux only if you attempt to resume Linux subsequently. It means that you should shutdown Windows before booting Linux and vice-versa. You cannot mix the two operating systems.

3)Large inodes
---The current version of Ext2 IFS only mounts volumes with an inode size of 128 like old Linux kernels have.
---Some very new Linux distributions create an Ext3 file systems with inodes of 256 bytes. Ext2 IFS 1.11 is not able to access them.
---Currently there is only one workaround: Please back up the files and create the Ext3 file system again. Give the mkfs.ext3 tool the -I 128 switch. Finally, restore all files with the backup.

4)Running programs on an Ext2/Ext3 volume on Windows Vista
---Currently it is not possible to start a program on Vista if UAC is enabled and the program's executable is stored on an Ex2/Ext3 volume. An "invalid parameter" message box appears, but the program does not start.
---UAC is the feature of Vista that prompts the user to elevate the user privileges to administrator level when necessary. UAC is enabled by default. It is not recommended to disable it.
---The problem is caused by Vista's internals: There is some code that compares whether the name of the file system type is one of the following: "NTFS", "FAT", "FAT32", "CDFS", "NPFS", "MSFS" or "UDF". If there is a match, it is one of Microsoft's file system types and a lot of code is skipped in the Multiple UNC Provider (MUP) implementation of Vista. If the file system type is a third-party type, for example "Ext2", some code runs in the MUP of Vista that always generates an ERROR_INVALID_PARAMETER error status code due to a bug of Vista.

4)File names which end with a dot character
---It is not possible to access or create files and directories if their name ends on a dot character ".".
---When the Windows Explorer specifies a file name with a trailing dot, Window's Win32 subsystem removes that dot and the file system driver gets a create/open request with a wrong file name. (It mimics some obscure DOS behavior.)

5)Synchronization issue when used with Windows NT 4.0
---Currently there is a compatibility issue with Windows NT 4.0: When drive letters are created or deleted with the setup program or with the "IFS Drives" item on the control panel, lists of hard disk drives in Windows NT Explorer and other windows are not automatically updated. Please choose View/Update in the appropriate menu. Sometimes Windows NT Explorer shows a wrong icon for a created drive letter.


Be sure that your antivirus to not collide with ext2ifs.


Installation Instructions
Download the .zip file. Extract all the files into a directory like c:\apps\ext2ifs. Run service.exe. Read the introduction carefully so you know what you are getting yourself into. Click on "Step 1". Click on "Install", Click on "Step 2". Create some drive letters (double click to open the appropriate dialog), Click on "Step 3" and click start.

(Note: If you use large fonts you might not be able to see the "Step 1", "Step 2" etc. tabs. If you can't see the tabs, try adjusting your windows font size)

Uninstallation Instructions:
Run service.exe

----On step 1 Click uninstall. This will stop Windows from being able to load the driver. After this is done it is safe to delete ext2fs.sys from %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\drivers but I recommend that you leave it there. (It will not do any harm).

---On step 2 delete any assignments you have made. This is not strictly necessary but unless you have another ext2 driver then they will not be much good. To remove a drive letter assignment, assign None. To remove a path assignment, leave the folder blank, check Replace existing mount locations and click OK.

And you are done. The driver will still be loaded until your next reboot but after that it will be gone.


Summary
It provides Windows NT4.0/2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 with full access to Linux Ext2 volumes (read access and write access). This may be useful if you have installed both Windows and Linux as a dual boot environment on your computer.


http://www.fs-driver.org/

[hellnoire]

I thought the standard was EXT3, going to EXT4 once they got the bugs worked out in it?

EDIT: duh, didn't read it all. Covers 2 and 3.

I'm going to check and see if it works with the newer ones.

[ha14]

Hi

Yap it will be interesting but my guess is to use anavailable pc/laptop for that experiment.

Well booting time with EXT4 should be faster but windows should also support that EXT4 which is faster than NTFS. If extended features of ext4 are to be used, In that case ext4 cannot be mounted with an ext3 nor an ext2 drivers. Ext4 modifies important data structures of the filesystem such as the ones destined to store the file data. The result is a filesystem with an improved design, better performance, reliability, and features.

There are two ways of migrating partitions from ext3 to ext4:

■mounting ext3 partitions as ext4 without converting (compatibility)
■converting ext3 partitions to ext4 (performance)

To fully experience the joys of ext4, an irreversible conversion process must be completed.

Pros:

■Improved performance and awesome new features – See Ext4 - Linux Kernel Newbies for details

Cons:

■Cannot be read/written with ext3 drivers (note that there is no known ext4 driver for Windows)
■Irreversible (ext4 partitions cannot be 'downgraded' to ext3)

[hellnoire]

Hi

Yap it will be interesting but my guess is to use anavailable pc/laptop for that experiment.

Well booting time with EXT4 should be faster but windows should also support that EXT4 which is faster than NTFS. If extended features of ext4 are to be used, In that case ext4 cannot be mounted with an ext3 nor an ext2 drivers. Ext4 modifies important data structures of the filesystem such as the ones destined to store the file data. The result is a filesystem with an improved design, better performance, reliability, and features.

There are two ways of migrating partitions from ext3 to ext4:

■mounting ext3 partitions as ext4 without converting (compatibility)
■converting ext3 partitions to ext4 (performance)

To fully experience the joys of ext4, an irreversible conversion process must be completed.

Pros:

■Improved performance and awesome new features – See Ext4 - Linux Kernel Newbies for details

Cons:

■Cannot be read/written with ext3 drivers (note that there is no known ext4 driver for Windows)
■Irreversible (ext4 partitions cannot be 'downgraded' to ext3)

And you copy/pasted an article that I've already read. You might want to cite it.

I tried the program but it wants to format my linux partition so it doesn't work with Ubuntu 9.04, just to warn people. Also, Windows doesn't support any EXT filesystem by default and will not support them for a while to come, unless you install Samba on the *nix box or a tool like this one. Also, as it stands right now, EXT4 does NOT have much in the way of reliability, that is why you see distros like Ubuntu that do not use it by default. It will in the future, but as of right now, people are loosing data if they convert. As for new features, I never noticed any but the performance. Other then that, it wasn't any more useful then EXT3.

It's why I've been telling anyone who's wanted to try it to wait until the bugs are worked out. It's made out to be much more stable then it really is in every 'bleeding edge' publication I've read. Until the kinks are gone, just keep using EXT3. It's at least stable and willing to do your bidding. And with Ubuntu 9.04, it's not that sluggish. It boots in 20 seconds, tops on both my PCs.

[ha14]

Sorry I had this pdf file about some kind of symposium, actually a page of it, so thought to add it (copy-past, faster yes). Your knowledge on Linux and familly are greater than mine.

Some very new Linux distributions create an Ext3 file systems with inodes of 256 bytes. Ext2 IFS 1.11 is not able to access them.
Run sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sda1 | grep Inode
If it returns inode > 128 then you are stuffed until the Windows driver is updated.

First thing you should do is boot up Ubuntu, then shutdown again once you get to the desktop. Boot back into windows and see if it works now.


What about a live cd with partition programs on it.

http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/0...-from-windows/

Convert Your ext3 File System to ext4 (in Ubuntu Jaunty 9.04) [HOWTO]
http://webupd8.blogspot.com/2009/04/...m-to-ext4.html
http://blog.fusi0n.org/linux/convert...ntu-904-jaunty
http://www.delodder.be/howto/migrate-ext3-to-ext4/

http://maketecheasier.com/how-to-upg...isk/2009/04/21

reinstal grub after a conversion.


If we mount the file system using the noatime mount option but some recommends fstab option for ext4.

Here is what I got on a paper:
A tool will also be available to perform a system-wide
filesystem migration from ext3 to ext4. This migration
tool performs two functions: migrating from indirect to
extents mapping, and enlarging the inode to 256 bytes.
---Extents migration: The first step can be performed
online and uses the defragmentation tool. During
the defragmentation process, files are changed to
extents mapping. In this way, the files are being
converted to extents and defragmented at the same
time.
---Inode migration: Enlarging the inode structure size
must be done offline. In this case, data is backed
up, and the entire filesystem is scanned and converted
to extents mapping and large inodes.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904

[hellnoire]

Sorry I had this pdf file about some kind of symposium, actually a page of it, so thought to add it (copy-past, faster yes). Your knowledge on Linux and familly are greater than mine.

Unless you actually try something, copy and pasting can get you into a lot of trouble if you say one thing, and someone has tried it, and has a different experience altogether. I read a great deal of Linux magazines, so if I see something I've seen elsewhere, I expect citation or at least a link back to them.

Some very new Linux distributions create an Ext3 file systems with inodes of 256 bytes. Ext2 IFS 1.11 is not able to access them.
Run sudo tune2fs -l /dev/sda1 | grep Inode
If it returns inode > 128 then you are stuffed until the Windows driver is updated.

First thing you should do is boot up Ubuntu, then shutdown again once you get to the desktop. Boot back into windows and see if it works now.

Another copy and paste. Yes, I can try it but they should update it since it's not going to become any less common.

What about a live cd with partition programs on it.

Parted Image would work

http://tombuntu.com/index.php/2008/0...-from-windows/

Convert Your ext3 File System to ext4 (in Ubuntu Jaunty 9.04) [HOWTO]
http://webupd8.blogspot.com/2009/04/...m-to-ext4.html
http://blog.fusi0n.org/linux/convert...ntu-904-jaunty
http://www.delodder.be/howto/migrate-ext3-to-ext4/
http://maketecheasier.com/how-to-upg...isk/2009/04/21

reinstall grub after a conversion.

Done and done. I see no major advantage in my main computer though it did loose my ISO folder, which had 10 gigs of ISOs I wanted to burn.

If we mount the file system using the noatime mount option but some recommends fstab option for ext4.

And some people like me see no speed boost since we don't have useless programs running at startup like Evolution's planner, or the BlueTooth program that's only good if you have a supported bluetooth card.

Here is what I got on a paper:
A tool will also be available to perform a system-wide
filesystem migration from ext3 to ext4. This migration
tool performs two functions: migrating from indirect to
extents mapping, and enlarging the inode to 256 bytes.
---Extents migration: The first step can be performed
online and uses the defragmentation tool. During
the defragmentation process, files are changed to
extents mapping. In this way, the files are being
converted to extents and defragmented at the same
time.
---Inode migration: Enlarging the inode structure size
must be done offline. In this case, data is backed
up, and the entire filesystem is scanned and converted
to extents mapping and large inodes.

http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/releasenotes/904

Yeah, read up all on it. Like I said before, I read a lot of Linux mags. Both online and offline. Most of them don't recommend it, and after trying it myself, I see why. If you're in an area that has a lot of power spikes or outages, then it will loose your data. The UPSs (Uninterrupted Power Supplies) are good to counter this, but even so, I don't notice the major boost that they promised on it.

It might come across as I'm chewing you out, but it's not meant to be like that. I'm just speaking from my own experience and how well EXT4 worked for me. For now, I'm sticking with EXT3 until they get the bugs worked out.

[ha14]

Yap wise choice and decision to stick with EXT3 and as I see those who tries EXT4 have different approach to migrate and some use live cd as you mentioned Parted Image.

Myself I dont have any linux magazine well I should do it but little bit I am lazy for Linux. For that I have to have another pc which is not the case. Although I have some powerpacks lying here and there, I tried some booting linux cds when I was trying to recover from crash.

Best probably waiting for EXT4 to be spread on major pcs and to have their experience for migration.

I had this Proceedings of the Linux Symposium (June 27th–30th, 2007) held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Organized by Andrew J. Hutton, Steamballoon, Inc. and C. Craig Ross, Linux Symposium. Having title The new ext4 filesystem: current status and future plans. This was their suggestion for migration from EXT3 to EXT4 smoothly as they pretend.

Perhaps you can email them by mentioning the symposium and they possibly would like to give more info.
Avantika Mathur, Mingming Cao, Suparna Bhattacharya
IBM Linux Technology Center
mathur@us.ibm.com, cmm@us.ibm.com, suparna@in.ibm.com

Andreas Dilger, Alex Tomas
Cluster Filesystem Inc.
adilger@clusterfs.com, alex@clusterfs.com

Laurent Vivier
Bull S.A.S.
laurent.vivier@bull.net