What type of requests is handled primarily by the cfq I/O scheduler?

The CFQ (Completely Fair Queuing) I/O scheduler is designed to provide a balanced approach to handling input/output requests from different processes. Its primary function is to ensure that all processes get a fair share of the I/O bandwidth, which means that it manages both read and write requests evenly. This allows it to provide good performance across a variety of workloads, making it suitable for general-purpose usage in a system where multiple applications might be competing for I/O resources.

CFQ achieves its goal by implementing a queue for each process or group of processes, providing fairness and prioritizing I/O operations. Instead of focusing solely on maximizing throughput or prioritizing high-priority tasks at the expense of others, CFQ balances the needs of all processes, ensuring that none are starved for I/O access. This balanced approach contributes to overall system stability and responsiveness, which is particularly beneficial in multi-user or multi-tasking environments.

The nature of the CFQ scheduler's operation emphasizes that it does not prioritize immediate high-priority requests over others but rather addresses requests in a manner that seeks to equalize I/O access based on fairness. Therefore, the correct choice highlights CFQ's balanced handling of I/O requests.