btrfs-balance:tldr:d2677

btrfs-balance: Balance data block groups which are less than 15% utilized, running the operation in the background.

btrfs

$ sudo btrfs balance start --bg -dusage=${15} ${path-to-btrfs_filesystem}

try on your machine

This command is used to initiate a balance operation on a Btrfs filesystem with the specified settings. Here's a breakdown of the command:

sudo: "sudo" stands for "superuser do" and allows the command to be executed with administrative privileges. It enables the user to perform actions that require root or superuser access.
btrfs balance start: This is the main part of the command that instructs the Btrfs filesystem to start a balance operation. The balance operation redistributes data across different devices in the filesystem to achieve better space utilization and data integrity.
--bg: This option runs the balance operation in the background, allowing you to continue using the filesystem while it balances.
-dusage=${15}: This option specifies the balance criteria based on data usage. The ${15} indicates that the balance operation should aim to have the same amount of data stored on all devices within 15% of each other. You can modify this value to meet your specific needs.
${path-to-btrfs_filesystem}: This is the placeholder for the path to the Btrfs filesystem you want to balance. You need to replace it with the actual path to your filesystem.

Overall, this command starts a background balance operation on the specified Btrfs filesystem, attempting to distribute the data evenly across devices with a target of 15% maximum difference in data usage.

This explanation was created by an AI. In most cases those are correct. But please always be careful and never run a command you are not sure if it is safe.

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