Good defragging program for Linux?

[pw257008]

Mint 17 in specific is what I'm running. I know the usual spiel about not needing defragging on an SSD or on Linux, but I've got I've got an 840 Evo, so special circumstances require it in my case. Any recommendations?

 

[sourceninja]

http://www.howtogeek.com/115229/htg-explains-why-linux-doesnt-need-defragmenting/

 

[BrightCandle]

http://www.howtogeek.com/115229/htg-explains-why-linux-doesnt-need-defragmenting/

Exactly this. Defragmentation is an engineering trade off in Windows to keep writing super fast but degrading future performance. In linux they take the hit when you write the file to do the right thing with it so that future use of the file will be quick. Linux file systems do not need defragmenting at all, its not an inherent property of hard drive storage that they must be defragmented, it depends entirely on the data structure used.

 

[jhu]

Mint 17 in specific is what I'm running. I know the usual spiel about not needing defragging on an SSD or on Linux, but I've got I've got an 840 Evo, so special circumstances require it in my case. Any recommendations?

So, you have an SSD and are running Linux. The only thing comes to mind as to why you would need to defrag files is that you're accessing the data directly on the flash somehow bypassing the SSD controller firmware and would make it easier for your custom software/interface to read a file.

If not that, what kind of circumstances are you in such that you require defragmenting?

 

[pcgeek11]

No. You do not need to defrag.

 

[mikeymikec]

Is there a generally considered opinion for what level of free space for modern UNIX-variant file systems (such as ext4) is sub-optimal?

(I'm only asking out of idle curiosity)

 

[pw257008]

I was basically looking for a way to rewrite my old files due to the old files performance degradation problem on the Evo without essentially copying all the contents to external storage and repasting them on the 840 Evo (for multiple reasons, the main being I don't have my external HD on the road with me).

 

[jhu]

I was basically looking for a way to rewrite my old files due to the old files performance degradation problem on the Evo without essentially copying all the contents to external storage and repasting them on the 840 Evo (for multiple reasons, the main being I don't have my external HD on the road with me).

Is performance really that bad? You'd otherwise shorten the life of your drive by defragging.

 

[Jodell88]

I was basically looking for a way to rewrite my old files due to the old files performance degradation problem on the Evo without essentially copying all the contents to external storage and repasting them on the 840 Evo (for multiple reasons, the main being I don't have my external HD on the road with me).

Isn't a firmware update on its way this month?

 

[pw257008]

Isn't a firmware update on its way this month?

Hopefully. Just looking for a stopgap.

 

[theevilsharpie]

Whether a defragmentation tool is available depends on the file system you're using; however, btrfs, ext4, and xfs (one of which you're likely using on a modern distro) all have online defragmenters available.

 

[jhu]

I was basically looking for a way to rewrite my old files due to the old files performance degradation problem on the Evo without essentially copying all the contents to external storage and repasting them on the 840 Evo (for multiple reasons, the main being I don't have my external HD on the road with me).

Here's your fix, probably...