FAT32 File System for Computers - Case Study Example

FAT32 vs. NTFS for use in Desktop Computers in Working Group al Affiliation FAT32 vs. NTFS for use in Desktop Computers in Working Group Mueller (2003) notes that FAT32 system and NTFS are some of the most common file systems in use today. FAT was the first to emerge and was later on upgraded to FAT32 to improve its functionality. However, as technology continued to advance, a new file system called NTFS emerged, which has changed the way files are tracked in the hard disk. Accordingly, NTFS file system has been found to the most appropriate for use in desktop computers for workgroups. However, because NTFS is a new file system in the market, some people might not have known that this new file system is the most appropriate for use in computers for workgroups. This is because those who are used to the FAT32 file system might still be skeptical of the benefits of using NTFS file system. Therefore, for purposes of convincing a user who has expressed preference for FAT32 file system to NTFS file system for use in desktop computers in a workgroup, this document will compare the different features of the two file systems. By doing so, the user will be convinced why it is highly recommended currently to use NTFS file system instead of FAT32 file system for computers in workgroups. FAT32 is one of the most common types of file system in use to keep track of the hard disk. FAT32 was invented in 1977 by Microsoft but found its way in PC-DOS of IBM PCs in 1981 (Phillips, 2008). Later on, the file system was carried to MS-DOS where it has been used ever system as a standard format in hard drives and floppy disks. However, as technology continued to advance and users demanding more functionality on the file system, Microsoft came up with a new version of file system called NTSF in 1993. Despite its invention in the early 1990s, NTFS file system was not used in most consumer PCs until the development of Windows XP in 2001 (Domingo, 2013). Since then, NTFS file system is used in most recent versions of the operating systems, including Windows 7, 8 and Vista as a default format. Therefore, being a new technology file system, NTFS have additional features that make it suitable for use for desktop computers in a workgroup. Firstly, it important to begin by stating that computers that are used in workgroups require a high level of security. This is because such computers are prone to attack by malicious users. For this reason, when considering a file system for use on a computer in a workgroup, it is important for a user to choose a file system that has high-security features. Fortunately, it is only the NTFS and not FAT32 file system that has extra security features that can help safeguard computers that are used in workgroups. For instance, whereas FAT32 requires a user to rely on share permission to have security, NTFS file system allows a user to establish the permission on the folders and files (Rouse, 2014). This is an important feature that makes it suitable for use for computers that are used in workgroups than FAT32. Secondly, it is not uncommon for a computer to experience unforeseen errors abruptly, such as during a power failure. Such errors or power failures can sometimes result in file damage, which might affect a group project. Fortunately, NTFS file system has a functionality that allows fault tolerance. In this regard, in the event of abrupt error or power failure, NTFS file system help safeguard the folders and files by ensuring that the affected files and folders are repaired automatically without necessarily notifying the user (Bijaoui and Hasslauer, 2011). This fault tolerance feature is, however, lacking in FAT32 file system that requires a backup in order to repair damage. This implies that in the event that the desktop computer in a workgroup lacks a backup, the files may end up being damaged completely resulting in the loss of important files and folders. Desktop computers used in workgroups usually involve storage of large files. Unfortunately, FAT32 file system can only hold file up to a maximum of 4GB. This implies that any file of a size larger than 4GB cannot be handled by FAT32 file system. Therefore, it would be appropriate for a user who intends to handle large file sizes, such as those of workgroups to consider using NTFS file system instead of FAT32 file system because of the ability of NTFS file system to handle files of large sizes without problem (Anson and Bunting, 2007). This is because NTFS file system is capable of handling file size of up to 16TB. Accordingly, the use of NTFS file system would give the users a chance to use and store files of any size up to 16TB. It is also preferable to use NTFS file system for desktop in a workgroup because of its ability to handle more characters than FAT32. Computers in workgroups normally involve the use of a large number of file name characters. This may involve naming all the members of the group using the computers. Unfortunately, FAT32 file system being an old type of file system can only handle up to 8.3 file name characters, which is not suitable for use for desktop computers in a workgroup (Phillips, 2008). NTFS, by contrast, is suitable because this type of file system is capable of handling up to 255 file name characters. The speed with which to locate a file is very important, particularly when working on a desktop in a workgroup that involves the use of many files. For example, when there are many files on a desktop in a working group, it is important to be able to locate the files very first. Therefore, unlike FAT32 file system that takes a lot of time to locate a file, NTFS file system enables users to locate the file with a lot of speeds. In fact, unlike FAT32 file system that has to locate a file on folder structure file, NTFS file system has a functionality that enables it read the whole folder; thereby minimizing the duration it takes one to locate a file (Bijaoui and Hasslauer, 2011). Above all, when choosing a file system for use on desktop in a workgroup, it is important for a user to consider compatibility. Unfortunately, FAT32 file system incompatible only in the old operating systems some of which have been faced out due to rapid technological advancements. This is because FAT32 file system is compatible only with Windows 95, 98, 2K, 2K3 and XP (Anson and Bunting, 2007). However, the file system is not compatible with the new operating systems. Therefore, a user considering a file system to use on a desktop in a workgroup should consider using NTFS file system, which is compatible with the latest versions of operating systems, including Windows NT, 2K, XP, Vista, 7 and 8. In conclusion, it has become clear that NTFS has additional features that make it a suitable file system to consider for use for desktop in a working group. This is because, unlike FAT32, NTFS provide a high level of security to users files, is capable of repairing abrupt errors, and can hold large files. Additionally, NTFS is also suitable for use for desktop computers in a workgroup because it has a feature that allows ease of allocating files and is compatible with modern operating systems. Therefore, any user should consider using NTFS as a file system instead of FAT32 for desktop computers in a workgroup because of its additional functionalities and features that are not available in FAT32 file system. References Anson, S., & Bunting, S. (2007). Mastering Windows network forensics and investigation. Upper Saddle River: John Wiley & Sons. Bijaoui, P., & Hasslauer, J. (2011). Designing storage for exchange 2007 SP1. New York, NY: Digital Press. Domingo, J. S. (2013). FAT32 vs. NTFS: Choose your own format. Retrieved from http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2421454,00.asp Mueller, S. (2003). Upgrading and repairing PCs. New York, NY: Que Publishing. Phillips, H. (2008). New perspectives on Microsoft Windows Vista for power users. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Rouse, M. (2014). NTFS (NT file system; sometimes new technology file system). Retrieved from http://searchwindowsserver.techtarget.com/definition/NTFS Read More