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From: rbj@icst-cmr.arpa (Root Boy Jim)
Newsgroups: comp.unix.wizards
Subject: Disk Fragmentation
Message-ID: <8586@brl-adm.ARPA>
Date: Fri, 31-Jul-87 11:47:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: brl-adm.8586
Posted: Fri Jul 31 11:47:26 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 2-Aug-87 03:00:36 EDT
Sender: news@brl-adm.ARPA
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   Is there a disk defragmenter utility for 4.3 BSD UNIX on VAXes?
   That is, a utility to move files around on the disk so that they are
   less fragmented (more contiguous) and larger free space areas exist on
   the disk.

   At least four companies sell utilities for VAX/VMS to do what I just
   mentioned.  And there is even such a utility for the CDC NOS.

VMS for one likes files (especially executables) to be contiguous. Also,
I don't know whether it has the equivalent of the buffer caching scheme
that UNIX does. If not, both points would suggest that VMS suffers more
degradation than UNIX does (note that I did not say anything about the
relative efficiency of either).

   Please don't suggest a dump and restore unless you'll come in on weekends
   and do it for me.

That's exactly what I will suggest, connected with a pipe, thus
obviating the need for magtape. Of course, you need a spare partition
(or disk pack), and you might have to do it twice, or use dd first. Still,
it will go much faster than using tape.

   Then again, maybe UNIX doesn't need such a utility.  But why would 4.3 BSD
   fsck report on the fragmentation, then?

Just to bug you :-)

   Thanks.
	   Jon Eichelberger
	   eichelbe@NADC.ARPA

	(Root Boy) Jim Cottrell	<rbj@icst-cmr.arpa>
	National Bureau of Standards
	Flamer's Hotline: (301) 975-5688