[Dovecot] linux 2.4 vs 2.6 kernel

[Alexander Hoogerhuis]

vmstech wrote:
> hi
> I read ( I think in dovecot wiki) that ext2 or ext3 fs on a 2.4 kernel
> can get slow due to the number of files in a directory. Does anyone know
> if kernel 2.6 has similar limitation? I'm not at that point now, but
> before the box goes live, I'm wondering if I should resolve that.
> Glenn
> 

Having quickly scanned this thread and seen many stories both ways and 
horrors from using anything on a disk, I thought I'd present one thing 
that should weight heavy for everyone, no matter what filesystems and 
drives you use, have used, lost data on or saved the day with:

Stick with what you already use, unless there is a really overwhelming 
reason not to. In my case I run a good few machines and only use ext3, 
and yes I know that I could squeeze out more speed by adopting reiserfs 
in places, or some other feature, but ask yourself this: admin-wise, 
what is the overhead in having to deal with one extra item to solve a 
very specific problem in one single spot?

In my case it would mean to have to learn the works for a different 
filesystem than I already use. ext3 with dir_index solves the problem 
90% for us, and everything remains the same admin-wise. If someone at 
the PHB-level wants that extra performance, explain it nicely in terms 
of cost for extra knowledge, or a simple: buy better iron.

my two cents,
Alexander

PS: to at least have mentioned dovecot in my reply: it works a bit too 
well, I haven't had a problem with it yet :D