Storage Networking Fundamentals: An Introduction to Storage Devices, Subsystems, Applications, Management, and Filing Systems

The Strange and Wonderful Relationship Between File Systems and Operating Systems

Operating systems and file systems are often confused as the same technology because operating systems have traditionally promoted the features of a matching (or “native”) file system as highlights of the operating system. In fact, file systems and operating systems are almost always different entities in order to facilitate the development and maintenance of both. The development of a system and the subsequent patches and upgrades that are bound to occur are much easier to work with if the operating and file systems can be treated as independent software entities.

NOTE

Microsoft's decision to delay the introduction of the WINFS file system in their Longhorn operating ...