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Memory Technology Device

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Flash-EEPROM in a Router - real MTD

Memory technology devices (MTD) are a new type of device file in Linux for interacting with flash memory, similar to Flash Translation Layer. The MTD subsystem was created to provide an abstraction layer between the hardware-specific device drivers and higher-level applications. Although character and block device files already existed, their semantics don't map well to the way that flash memory devices operate.

USB sticks, MMCs, SDs, CompactFlashes and other popular removable devices should not be confused with MTDs. Although they contain flash memory, this is hidden behind a block device interface using a Flash Translation Layer.[1]

To make use of a MTD it is recommended to use a MTD aware file system such as JFFS2 or YAFFS. The MTD subsystem exports block devices too, which allow to use common filesystem like ext4. But using a MTD this way is not recommended since there is no detection of bad blocks neither any kind of wear leveling.

References

  1. ^ "Memory Technology Device Overview". Retrieved 1 September 2012.
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