Inode

An inode is a data structure on a filesystem on Linux and Unix-like systems that stores information about a file or a directory, such as its size, owner, and access mode.

More About Inodes

Role in Filesystems: Integral to the file system, storing metadata about files.

Inode Limits: Hosting accounts often have inode limits, affecting the number of files and directories you can have.

Monitoring Usage: Excessive inode usage can lead to account suspension; monitoring is essential.

Impact on Performance: High inode usage can affect system performance and backup processes.

How to Check the Inodes Usage?

To get a list of the inode usage for every directory in the directory you are currently in, you can use the following command in the Linux terminal:

Here’s what this command does:

• find .: Starts searching from the current directory (.).
• -maxdepth 1: Limits the search to the current directory only (doesn’t go into subdirectories).
• -type d: Specifies that we’re looking for directories.
• -exec sh -c '...' \;: Executes the command inside the single quotes for each directory found.

The inner command (echo -n "{}: "; find "{}" | wc -l) does the following:

• echo -n "{}: ": Prints the directory name followed by a colon and a space.
• find "{}" | wc -l: Counts the number of inodes in the directory.

So, when you run this command, it will display a list of directories in the current directory along with the number of inodes used by each directory.

How to Check the Inodes Usage in cPanel?

To check inode usage in cPanel, you can follow these steps:

1. Log in to cPanel:
   • Open your web browser and access your cPanel control panel. You typically log in with your cPanel username and password.
2. Navigate to the “Inode Usage” Page:
   • Once logged in, use the cPanel’s search feature or look for a section called “Files” or “Advanced.” In that section, you should find an option labeled “Inode Usage” or something similar. Click on it.
3. View Inode Usage Details:
   • On the Inode Usage page, you’ll see a summary of your account’s inode usage. It will show you the total number of inodes allowed and the current usage. It may also display a breakdown of inode usage by directory or subdirectory.

Please note that the specific layout and options in cPanel may vary slightly depending on your web hosting provider and cPanel version. If you’re unsure about how to interpret the inode usage or need assistance with managing it, consider reaching out to your hosting provider’s support team for guidance.

How to Reduce the Inodes Usage?

Regarding reducing the inode usage for a website, here are some general tips:

1. Cleanup Unused Files: Remove any unnecessary or unused files and directories from your website. Old backups, log files, and cached content can accumulate and consume inodes.
2. Optimize Images: Compress and optimize images to reduce their size. Large image files can contribute significantly to inode usage.
3. Limit Email: If your website generates a lot of email, consider limiting email storage or archiving old emails to free up inodes.
4. Check Cache: Cache directories can grow over time. Make sure your caching system is configured to clean up old cache files regularly.
5. Check Temporary Files: Some applications generate temporary files that may not always get cleaned up. Review and delete temporary files that are no longer needed.
6. Avoid Excessive Plugins: If you’re using a content management system (CMS) like WordPress, excessive plugins can generate additional files and data. Only keep the plugins you truly need.
7. Monitor and Plan: Regularly monitor your inode usage, especially on shared hosting where there might be limits. Plan ahead and consider upgrading your hosting plan if you consistently approach inode limits.