Members flash drives and memory cards are rarely interested in what their file system formatted drive.It is no secret that the best memory card format in the device in which they are used, and the stick - proprietary tool manufacturer.Problems can arise when trying to copy a file to an external drive that is larger than 4 GB.After receiving an error message recording, the user is at a loss, because plenty of space on the media.And it is likely to obsolete file system.The simplest solution for users of modern operating systems Windows or Mac OS - use format exFAT.What does it mean, then tell
FAT32 and limitations
Until recently, the most popular file systems for removable media has been good old FAT32.Files stored on such a device were available from a computer or smart phone, whatever the operating system or the ruled.No problem to connect a USB flash drive to a DVD-player or TV, and the memory card used in your phone, camera, video camera.
However, simple and clear FAT32 has some limitations, especially on the maximum size partition and single file.The first limitation is not as rigid: can not be formatted to FAT32 partition larger than 2TB.So far, these flash drives do not exist, even top drives recently reached this value.Does not involve the creation of a memory card larger and modern standard SDXC (with an eye to including in this format was developed file system exFAT).What is important today to speak, as we see, it is premature, however, the developers of the system software have to look far ahead, that their products do not become "bottleneck" restricting the growth performance of the system as a whole.
But what really creates difficulties when using devices formatted in FAT32, this limitation on the maximum file size of 4 GB.Feature film in HD may be several times larger volume.Many people need to move files or database files larger.So the question of changing the file system is highly relevant.
ExFAT: what is it and what are its advantages
developed in Microsoft exFAT file system is optimized for use in the development of a family of removable storage devices FAT.Here are the main advantages over its predecessors:
- The maximum file size is increased to unimaginable today 16 exabytes (264 bytes).
- cluster size increased to 32 MB.
- Restriction on the number of files and folders.
- Now you can save access rights for files and folders.
Another advantage exFAT is a more efficient use of disk space: USB flash drive that has been formatted in the new file system will have a slightly larger effective volume than if you format it to FAT32, and especially in NTFS or HFS +.
Why not NTFS
advantages, we are talking about long Maykrsoft developers implemented in the file system NTFS.Then why even some system exFAT?The fact that NTFS - journaling filesystem.On every read or write system makes small marks (operation started - the transaction is completed).This allows in case of failure is easy to isolate the problem to avoid data loss or damage to the file system.But the implementation of these records will take some time.For fast hard drive is invisible to the user minuscule, but for far less agile USB flash drive - quite tangible brakes.
Moreover, the number of resource records for the operations of flash storage is very limited, and it is a pity to use a significant part in the logging file system.
Thus, the use of a journaling file system reduces the speed and reduce the life of flash drives.That is why they do not use any NTFS (Windows), or HFS + (MacOS), or ext3 / ext4 (Linux).
exFAT on hard drives
Above repeatedly spoken about exFAT, which is a file system for flash drives.And what prevents use it on your hard drive?The fact that the disadvantages of journaling file systems, which we discussed above, magnetic hard drives are not critical.
Resource write cycles have several orders of magnitude greater than that of flash drives, logging takes almost no time, thanks to a massive cache device, and a gain in the amount of disk space is negligible.But reliability for the huge number of appeals to the drive, which constantly makes the system and programs coming to the fore.And on this indicator NTFS exFAT wins outright.
Compatibility issues
main problem exFAT - it's proprietary file system that is Maykrsoft takes a fee from all who want to implement it in their products.Therefore, you should pay attention to, whether the format is supported by your operating system and hardware.
fully and without any effort on your part exFAT is supported by Windows 7 and above.Vista, starting with Service Pack 1, can work with this file system, but with some restrictions.For Windows XP (not Service Pack 2, below) need to download a driver from the site Maykrsoft.
take care of their customers Apple: Macs with OS X 10.6.4 is not below also provides native support for exFAT.
But for Linux, there are only stable working and questionable in terms of the purity of the licensed tools.
Even worse situation with support equipment.It is understood that the old cameras, players and the like, the device does not know about the new file system.But not all manufacturers of new gadgets want to pay for the use of this developing Microsoft (or risk, introducing support for the new format without a license).So while we can not say about the exFAT, which is a universal replacement FAT32.
