Optimizing Linux System for SSD Performance: Filesystem, I/O Scheduler, and Memory Settings

1 Principle

Minimize frequent fragmented writes to extend lifespan and enable special settings for performance.

2 OS Configuration

2.1 Enable ext4 TRIM

Enable TRIM (delayed discard) for ext4 by editing /etc/fstab:

/dev/sda1        /                ext4        noatime,discard         0   1

2.2 Add noatime option

Add noatime to /etc/fstab:

/dev/sda1        /                ext4        noatime         1   1

2.3 Use noop I/O scheduler

Set I/O scheduler to noop via boot parameter:

elevator=noop

For LILO, add to /etc/lilo.conf:

append=\"elevator=noop\"

Then run:

sudo lilo

2.4 Enable SSD write cache

Enable write cache:

hdparm -W1 /dev/sda

2.5 Use deadline scheduler after boot

Set deadline as default scheduler:

sudo echo deadline > /sys/block/sda/queue/scheduler && sudo echo 1 > /sys/block/sda/queue/iosched/fifo_batch

2.6 Reduce kernel swap tendency and file cache

Lower swappiness and vfs cache pressure:

echo 0 > /proc/sys/vm/swappiness
 echo 30 > /proc/sys/vm/vfs_cache_pressure

3 Use tmpfs for temporary directories

Mount /tmp and /var/tmp on tmpfs by adding to /etc/fstab:

tmpfs   /tmp   tmpfs   nodev,nosuid,noexec,relatime,mode=1777,size=15%    0    0
 tmpfs   /var/tmp   tmpfs   defaults,size=5%    0  0

Note: Some sources suggest moving /var/log to tmpfs, but the author does not recommend it.

4 Set Firefox temporary files to /dev/shm

Open about:config in Firefox.

Search for browser.cache.disk.parent_directory .

Add the string preference with value /dev/shm .

5 References

HOWTO – Optimize #! statler for use with a solid state drive (Arch Wiki).

Author: He Weiping, Qunar Travel & Vacation Division, search and database researcher.