Question

Here a limit on the maximum size of a file in an extent-based file system? Select one or more yalid argument (s).

a)No, since some one can argue that in a practical matter, there is no fixed maximum size for an extent-based file system. Each extent (including nonresident data extents containing pointers to data extents) can be as large as the largest contiguous area of tree space on disk and nonresident attribute lists can contain multiple pointers to (potentially enormous) nonresident data extents
b)Yes, since some one can argue that if the file system allows only a fixed number of lavers in its tree of dataimetadata and uses a fixed number of bits to represent the length of each extent, then there is a theoretical limit. For example, if the number of sectors in an extent are are represented as 64 .bit unsigned integers, then cach extent can hold 2⁽⁶⁴⁺⁹⁾=2⁷³ bytes: if each extent pointer takes 16 bytes (8 bytes location and 8 bytes iength) theo a nonresident data extent could hold 2⁷³⁻⁴=2⁶⁹ pointers. if each pointer points to a maximum size data extent, then a single nonresident data cetent could reference as much as 2⁶⁹⁺⁷³=2¹⁴² bytes of data. Adding a third layer to the tree le e a nonresident attribute extent grows the addressable range of data to 2¹⁴² ∗ 2⁶⁹=2²¹¹ bytes, which is starting to approach the rumber of atoms in the observable universe.

Answer 1

The maximum file size in an extent-based file system is theoretically limited due to digital constraints and file system structure, though practically it may seem limitless due to the growth potential of extents and pointer lists.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question is regarding the maximum size of a file in an extent-based file system. Two arguments are presented: the first suggests there is no fixed maximum size due to the nature of how extents can grow, and the second argues that there is a theoretical limit based on the fixed number of layers in the file system's tree of data/metadata and the fixed number of bits used to represent the length of each extent.

Argument (a) states that theoretically, an extent can be as large as the largest contiguous space on disk, and nonresident attribute lists can contain many pointers to these extents, implying no practical limit. In contrast, argument (b) maintains there is a theoretical limit to file size, as imposed by factors such as the number of bits used to represent the extent lengths and the structure of the file system.

Both arguments are valid, depending on whether one considers practical limitations or theoretical underpinnings of the file system. However, argument (b) provides a more definite limit based on the limitations of digital representation with fixed-size integers and the structure of extent pointers.