Which component of the FAT file system maintains a record of file fragmentation?

The File Allocation Table (FAT) is the component of the FAT file system that is responsible for maintaining a record of file fragmentation. It acts as a map of where files are stored on the disk by keeping track of clusters allocated to files. When a file is stored, the FAT records the starting cluster and links to the subsequent clusters of that file, effectively allowing the operating system to locate fragmented pieces of a file across the storage medium.

The importance of the FAT lies in its ability to manage both contiguous and fragmented files. When a file is too large to fit in a single contiguous block of space, the FAT records where each piece of the file is located, allowing for effective retrieval and organization of file data.

Other components listed, such as the Master File Table, Boot Sector, and Volume Control Block, serve different purposes. The Master File Table is primarily found in NTFS, the Boot Sector contains information necessary to start the operating system, and the Volume Control Block stores volume-level information. None of these components specifically track file fragmentation in the way that the File Allocation Table does.