AIX uses a journaled file system, meaning that certain i-node information is stored in a transaction log during writes. Its real value is in maintaining the integrity of the file system. Journaled file systems enable faster system reboots after system crashes. Each volume group has a jfslog file that is automatically created when the first file system is created in that volume group. The jfslog ensures the integrity of a file system by immediately writing all meta-data information to itself. Meta-data is information about the file system, such as changes to the i-nodes and the free lists. The jfslog keeps track of what is supposed to happen to the file system and whether it gets done. You are allowed to have a separate log for each filesystem.