Running Bcachefs DKMS Modules on Ubuntu Linux

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The Bcachefs file system, renowned for its flexibility and advanced performance, has undergone a major evolution since its temporary exclusion from the official Linux kernel tree. Thanks to integration via DKMS (Dynamic Kernel Module Support), Ubuntu Linux users now have a pragmatic way to compile and maintain this file system directly on their distribution. This transition opens up exciting opportunities for both system administrators and Linux enthusiasts who want to run Bcachefs without the constraints of traditional kernel updates. Let’s discover how to run Bcachefs’ DKMS modules on Ubuntu, the associated technical challenges, and the concrete benefits for users. Configuring the environment and installing DKMS packages for Bcachefs on Ubuntu LinuxSupport for Bcachefs on Ubuntu now includes a dedicated repository offering DKMS packages. This solution ensures seamless integration and simplified module maintenance in the face of frequent Linux kernel updates, which require clean recompilation of specific modules. To begin, prepare the environment with the essential tools. Install the development tools: gcc (GNU Compiler Collection), make, and the current kernel headers are essential for automatic module compilation.

Enable systemd: This system manager facilitates module loading and the automation of startup and package update tasks.

Add the official Bcachefs DKMS repository: Accessible via apt-get, it eliminates the need for manual source management and ensures compatibility with the kernel version being used. A typical command to add the repository and install packages can be written as follows:sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bcachefs/ppa

sudo apt-get update

  • sudo apt-get install bcachefs-dkms bcachefs-tools This procedure automatically launches the module compilation process through DKMS, which rebuilds the modules with each kernel update, making the operation completely transparent.
  • Finally, it is necessary to use the modprobe command to load the Bcachefs module into memory, thus preparing the system for efficient volume mounting. The system is properly installed using depmod, which generates the dependencies necessary for module management. Here is a list of essential steps to ensure a successful installation:
  • Check the kernel version with uname -r .

Install gcc, make, and the associated headers: sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r)

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sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bcachefs/ppansudo apt-get updatensudo apt-get install bcachefs-dkms bcachefs-tools
“} –>
.
Add the Bcachefs repository and update the package list. Install
bcachefs-dkms

and

bcachefs-tools . Automatically compile and install the module via DKMS. Load the module withsudo modprobe bcachefs

.

  • Verify proper integration with lsmod | grep bcachefs.
  • This package ensures that Bcachefs integrates stably and dynamically with Ubuntu. The latest versions, notably on Ubuntu 25.10 with Linux 6.17, take advantage of this system to offer increased compatibility and performance worthy of the expectations of users of modern file systems. Learn how to install and configure bcachefs with dkms on Ubuntu to optimize the performance of your file system with this practical and detailed guide. Performance and Comparisons: Bcachefs DKMS vs. Other File Systems on Ubuntu LinuxUsing DKMS modules to support Bcachefs allows you to test the file system’s real-world performance without being tied to kernel versions. Comparisons conducted on Ubuntu with Linux 6.17 clearly illustrate the benefits of this flexibility.
  • The test on recent hardware—a Crucial T705 1TB PCIe Gen5 SSD—allows benchmarks with popular systems such as EXT4, Btrfs, F2FS, OpenZFS, and XFS, all evaluated in their stock configuration to ensure consistent results.
  • Bcachefs, whether hard-coded into a Linux kernel or operated via DKMS modules, demonstrates remarkable performance, particularly in cache management and latency reduction, due to the system’s signature hybrid cache-storage approach. Sustained Write Speed : Bcachefs excels against other file systems, delivering high throughput thanks to its advanced SSD cache management. Snapshot Robustness: Native incremental snapshot management provides protection and flexibility that are valued in professional environments.
  • Read Responsiveness
  • : Bcachefs optimizes random read access, a crucial criterion for databases and file servers. Thus, using the Bcachefs DKMSmodule not only allows you to benefit from the latest feature developments, but also provides a scalable system capable of adapting to new needs without requiring a complete manual kernel recompilation.
  • To delve deeper into the kernel and filesystem landscape in 2024-2025, the following resources provide relevant insights: Comparative Evaluations of OpenZFS vs. BcachefsLinux 6.17 rc4 and Bcachefs Release Report

EXT4 Improvements in Linux 6.17

Understanding the Role of DKMS in Scalable Bcachefs Management in Ubuntu

Dynamic Kernel Module Support, or DKMS, is a framework for automating the compilation and installation of kernel modules when the kernel is updated. For Bcachefs, this method has become the cornerstone of its maintenance outside the mainline kernel, particularly after the upstream developers decided to suspend its direct integration into Linux.

The major advantage of DKMS lies in its automation. When the kernel is updated, DKMS detects the extracted modules and triggers recompilation around the new version without manual intervention. This process prevents critical functionality from being lost or incompatibilities from arising, especially in critical environments such as Ubuntu servers.

Complete automation

of the build process, linking

  • gcc ,
  • make , and
  • depmod to ensure systematic consistency.

Maintains compatibility with the kernel version to avoid errors related to module-kernel mismatches. Reduced downtime in production, since the module is ready to use upon the next reboot or modprobe.

Ease of installation

Manual loading of the module remains possible at any time via:

sudo modprobe bcachefs

This activates the module loaded by DKMS in the context of the current kernel. To ensure that

  • depmod Once the dependencies have been successfully updated, the following command can be used: sudo depmod -aThis operation is useful to force the kernel to recognize newly compiled modules and ensure their error-free loading. Learn how to install and use bcachefs with dkms on Ubuntu to optimize the performance of your file systems with this modern and scalable solution on Linux.Configure and Mount a Bcachefs Filesystem with DKMS Modules on Ubuntu After installing and loading the Bcachefs module, you can begin setting up a functional file system. This step involves several commands for creation, formatting, and mounting, accessible through the tools provided by bcachefs-tools
  • . To get started: Create a Bcachefs volume
  • with one or more block devices: sudo bcachefs format /dev/nvme0n1 /dev/nvme1n1
  • Mount this volume on an access point:

sudo mount -t bcachefs /dev/sdX /mnt/bcachefsVerify the integrity of the mountwith common commands like

df -h

or

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sudo modprobe bcachefs
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mount

. It’s important to note that the default mount options are optimized but can be adjusted for specific needs such as snapshot management, compression, or encryption. Here’s what to keep in mind during configuration:

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sudo depmod -a
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Use the appropriate options to enable logging and recovery.

Plan a snapshot-based backup scheme to secure data.

Be careful with DKMS module updates after a kernel upgrade to avoid incompatibilities. This flexibility makes Bcachefs under Ubuntu a compelling choice for file servers, NAS solutions, or rugged workstations requiring both performance and data security.

Anticipate and resolve common issues related to using Bcachefs DKMS under Ubuntu Linux

Like any cutting-edge system, Bcachefs via DKMS may pose certain technical challenges to overcome for a stable experience. Several critical points must be anticipated: Compatibility issuesbetween the kernel version and that of the Bcachefs module, often corrected by synchronizing updates between the DKMS repository and the Linux kernel (see:

guide to DKMS modules for Bcachefs

  • ). Compilation errors
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sudo bcachefs format /dev/nvme0n1 /dev/nvme1n1
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when installing via DKMS, usually due to a lack of build tools or an incompatible version of GCC or make.

  • Conflicts with other kernel modules , especially with built-in alternative file systems, which should be managed by isolating tests.
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    sudo mount -t bcachefs /dev/sdX /mnt/bcachefs
    “} –>
    Functional limitations

  • linked to the temporary absence of certain functionalities in the DKMS version compared to the complete kernel integration, under constant monitoring. To mitigate these risks, it is recommended to: Systematically check the system logs via dmesg Andjournalctl

    • after loading the modules.

    Maintain a separate test environment for advanced experiments.

    • Build on the community and recent developments by regularly checking updates from Kent Overstreet and the Bcachefs team (
    • news on disagreements and the future of Bcachefs
    • ).

    Preserve regular backups in case of unexpected data loss.

    These practical tips make it easier to manage a Bcachefs module outside the classic Linux kernel, while minimizing the risks inherent in any advanced technical customization.

    discover how to install and configure bcachefs dkms on ubuntu to optimize the performance of your file system with this simple and comprehensive guide.