Quickly discover kernel-supported and module-backed filesystems on your system. 29.12.2025 | reading time: 2 min Want to know which filesystems your Linux can mount and manage? Use the kernel's view and module tools to find built-in and modular support, then verify available user-space helpers for formatting and repair. Quick hands-on check Do this: run `cat /proc/filesystems` to list kernel-known filesystems; sample lines may include "nodev sysfs", "nodev tmpfs", "ext4", "vfat"; to test for ext4 run `grep -w ext4 /proc/filesystems && echo 'ext4 supported' || echo 'ext4 not supported'`. Driver inspection and loading Inspect loaded drivers with `lsmod`, probe a filesystem module with `sudo modprobe nfs`, and check whether a driver is built into the kernel with `grep -w ext4 /lib/modules/$(uname -r)/modules.builtin && echo 'built-in' || echo 'module'`; use `modinfo <module>` to read details about a filesystem module. When user-space matters The kernel exposes support, but user-space tools do the work: detect a partition's FS with `blkid -s TYPE -o value /dev/sdb1` or `file -sL /dev/sdb1`, create filesystems with `mkfs.<type>`, and run repairs with `fsck.<type>` if needed. Security and performance knobs Decide how you mount a filesystem: apply security flags like `noexec`, `nosuid`, `nodev` and performance options like `noatime` or fs-specific tunables; remember tools such as `tune2fs` or `xfs_growfs` to adjust on-disk parameters after mounting. Next steps You have the commands to list kernel-supported filesystems, load or inspect drivers, and verify user-space support; practice on a non-critical disk, then explore kernel configuration and filesystem-specific tools to deepen skills and prepare for certifications at bitsandbytes.academy. Join Bits & Bytes Academy First class LINUX exam preparation. filesystem utilities storage troubleshooting
