TLDR: XFS is a high-performance journaling file system introduced by Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) in 1994 for its IRIX UNIX systems and later ported to Linux. Renowned for its robustness and scalability, XFS is designed to handle large files and support high-speed data transfers. It is particularly effective in environments where consistent high-throughput and low-latency are crucial, such as in enterprise servers and data-heavy workloads. XFS also features an advanced journaling mechanism that ensures quick recovery from crashes, preserving the file system's integrity.
XFS employs a balanced tree structure for metadata management, facilitating efficient file storage and retrieval. One of its key features is delayed allocation, which optimizes data placement to reduce fragmentation and enhance performance. XFS also supports dynamic resizing, allowing users to expand the file system without unmounting it, which is particularly advantageous in live enterprise environments. Additionally, its journaling system tracks changes to the file system, enabling rapid restoration in the event of a system failure or unexpected shutdown.
https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/admin-guide/xfs.html
The file system is optimized for large-scale storage, handling files and volumes up to 8 exabytes, making it ideal for big data analytics and archival storage. While its primary focus is performance and scalability, XFS also integrates advanced features such as quotas and real-time subvolume management for specialized workloads. As of today, XFS remains a preferred choice for Linux users requiring reliable, high-performance file system capabilities, especially in cloud and data center deployments.