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Topic: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs (Read 1779 times) previous topic - next topic
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Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Hi all!

I did a fresh install with the recent lxqt runit iso (also applies to the openrc lxqt iso) on a SSD with btrfs.
Calamares seems to set mountoption autodefrag by default which isnt't really necessary/desired on a SSD.
While this of course is an easy fix in /etc/fstab, the question is if this default behaviour should be changed so autodefrag isn't set on a system running a SSD?

What's your opinion on this?

Thanx!

Re: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Reply #1 –
While this is a valid point, Artix is a distribution geared towards advanced users who should be able to tweak the installation to their hearts' desires. IMO, automating too much of the installation would beat the purpose of KISS and draw unnecessary feature or support requests.

Re: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Reply #2 –
I think autodefrag on btrfs is the right choice calameres makes there.
Its btrfs specific afaik.

Re: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Reply #3 –
I agree that autodefrag is a btrfs feature. But IMHO it's not a good default setting on a SSD, since defragmentation isn't an issue here.
My concern is, that if useres are not aware of this default setting, they get some unnecessary wearing on their device.
IMO you should avoid unneeded write-cycles on a SSD.

Looking at the code:
https://github.com/calamares/calamares/blob/master/src/modules/fstab/fstab.conf

Code: [Select]
# Mount options to use for all filesystems. If a specific filesystem
# is listed here, use those options, otherwise use the *default*
# options from this mapping.
mountOptions:
    default: defaults,noatime
    btrfs: defaults,noatime,space_cache,autodefrag

# If a filesystem is on an SSD, add the following options. If a specific
# filesystem is listed here, use those options, otherwise no additional
# options are set (i.e. there is no *default* like in *mountOptions*).
ssdExtraMountOptions:
    ext4: discard
    jfs: discard
    xfs: discard
    swap: discard
btrfs: discard,compress=lzo

It seems they first make a fs based setting turning autodefrag on and later add some SSD specific stuff.

However, you also could argue that since Artix is targeted to advanced users, those will tweak around in their systems anyway.
And if they don't like autodefrag just kick it out of fstab.
Just wanted to point this out. To me it's not a big deal at all.

Thanks!

Re: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Reply #4 –
Quote from: t0m – on

Just wanted to point this out. To me it's not a big deal at all.

Thing is, it is a difficult choice to make.
If we disable discard, there will likely be people pointing out it is not set by default.
I am unsure what to do, I also don't use btrfs.

Re: Calamares defaults to -o autodefrag by default on SSDs

Reply #5 –
Quote
If we disable discard, there will likely be people pointing out it is not set by default.
I agree.
Also the question is, how many people running Artix are using btrfs (besides me  :D ).
So maybe it's a "good to know" thing but not worth any more effort at this point.