For a new Linux server that requires handling files larger than 2 TB, which file system type is recommended?

The recommended file system type for handling files larger than 2 TB on a new Linux server is ext4. This is because ext4 is a modern file system that supports file sizes up to 16 TB and volumes up to 1 EB (exabyte), far exceeding the 2 TB limitation.

Ext4 offers several advantages over older file systems, such as improved performance, robust journaling features for recovering from crashes, and better allocation algorithms that enhance the efficiency of storage utilization. Additionally, ext4 is backward compatible with ext3 and ext2, allowing for easier migration between these file systems.

In contrast, the other file systems mentioned have significant limitations. NTFS, while capable of handling large files on Windows systems, is not natively supported by Linux without additional configuration. The ext2 file system cannot manage files larger than 2 TB either, as it has a maximum file size of 2 TB. FAT32, on the other hand, has a maximum file size limit of 4 GB, making it unsuitable for handling files larger than that, let alone exceeding 2 TB. Thus, ext4 is the best choice for a Linux server with requirements for handling larger file sizes.