Data Placement in Linux - Evolving Block and File I/O

Explore how Linux is adapting to support Flexible Data Placement (FDP), a new storage capability that allows hosts to influence physical data layout for improved performance, usable space, and energy efficiency. Learn about the evolution from initial io_uring-driven passthrough interfaces to comprehensive block and file path support required for real-world deployments. Discover the current state of Linux implementation and examine key design decisions that enable collaboration across the I/O stack. Understand how both block and file I/O paths are being modified to leverage data placement capabilities through per-file and extended per-I/O interfaces involving io_uring, filesystems, the block layer, and the NVMe driver. Gain insights into the next stage of I/O evolution featuring deeper software-hardware coordination, making this essential viewing for filesystem developers, performance optimization specialists, and anyone interested in how Linux adapts to evolving hardware technologies.