Convert SQFS to GTAR

Understanding SQFS and GTAR file formats

SQFS (SquashFS) is a compressed, read-only file system commonly used for embedded systems and live Linux distributions. It efficiently stores large amounts of data in a compressed format, making it ideal for distribution and deployment scenarios.

GTAR is a variant of the standard TAR (Tape Archive) format, often used for archiving collections of files into a single file. GTAR files are typically compatible with standard TAR utilities and are used for backup, distribution, and packaging purposes.

How to convert SQFS to GTAR

Converting a SQFS file to a GTAR archive involves extracting the contents of the SquashFS file system and then re-archiving them into a GTAR (TAR) file. This process is not a direct conversion but a two-step extraction and archiving process.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Extract the SQFS file:
   Use the unsquashfs tool to extract the contents of the SQFS file.
   unsquashfs yourfile.sqfs
   This will create a directory (usually named squashfs-root) containing the extracted files.
2. Create a GTAR archive:
   Use the tar command to archive the extracted directory.
   tar -cvf yourfile.gtar squashfs-root/
   This will create a GTAR (TAR) file containing all the extracted files.

Best software for SQFS to GTAR conversion

• unsquashfs (part of SquashFS tools): Available on Linux and Windows via WSL. It is the standard tool for extracting SquashFS files.
• tar: Available on all major operating systems, used for creating TAR/GTAR archives.
• PeaZip (Windows/Linux): A user-friendly GUI tool that supports both extraction and archiving, making the process easier for those who prefer not to use the command line.

Summary

To convert SQFS to GTAR, extract the SquashFS file with unsquashfs and then archive the contents using tar. This method ensures all files are preserved and packaged in the widely compatible GTAR format.