Final answer:
The superblock is vital to the Linux file system, acting as a metadata holder that provides the system with necessary information to manage files and directories. It includes details like file system size and state, and is read when mounting the file system. Multiple superblock backups are kept to protect against corruption.
Step-by-step explanation:
The superblock plays a crucial role in the Linux file system. It acts as a metadata repository, containing information about the configuration and state of the file system. This includes details such as the size of the file system, block size, the total number of blocks, free blocks, free inodes, and information about file system checkups. The superblock is essential for the system to understand how to access the files and directories stored on the disk.
When the file system is mounted, the kernel reads the superblock to learn how to interact with the file system. If the superblock is corrupted, the system cannot mount the file system and access its contents, which can result in data loss. Therefore, Linux typically keeps multiple copies of the superblock in various locations throughout the file system as a precautionary measure, to recover from potential corruption.