2026-02-13 –, VYAS - 1 - Room#VY104
The Linux block layer plays a fundamental role in how data moves between user applications and storage devices. Over the years, storage hardware—SSDs, NVMe devices, high-throughput RAID systems—has evolved dramatically, exposing limitations in the traditional single-queue block layer. This talk will explore the architecture of the Linux block layer, highlight the performance bottlenecks of the legacy single-queue design, and explain how the modern multi-queue block layer (blk-mq) addresses these challenges.
In addition to the architectural deep dive, this session will walk the audience through what happens under the hood when a user performs a simple file copy operation using the cp command. We will trace the flow across various Linux subsystems—including the VFS layer, page cache, I/O scheduler, block layer, and storage drivers—giving attendees a holistic understanding of Linux I/O processing.
I am Nitin Yewale, currently working as a Software Maintenance Engineer in Sustaining Engineering team at Red Hat. Over the course of my career of more than 15 years of experience working with the Linux Operating system, I have spent a significant amount of time understanding and supporting various system-level components, which has helped me build a foundation in Linux internals.
In the course of my career at Red Hat, I developed a growing interest in the Linux storage stack and the many concepts that shape how data moves through the system. I enjoy exploring how different subsystems — filesystems, the block layer, and storage drivers — work together, and I am looking forward to deepening my knowledge in this area.
I believe in continuous learning, and I approach new technical subjects with curiosity and a willingness to understand them thoroughly. Through this talk, I hope to share some of the insights I’ve gathered while also learning from the broader technical community.