What is inode?
An inode (index node) is simply a data structure that describes a specific file or a reference on the file system and has the directory entry acting as its storage. Inodes direct to several blocks that comprise an archive and contains every administrative data that are needed for accessing a file.
The Inodes stores the metadata of every file in the form of table structures. For instance, when working on a program that classifies a file by its name, the system searches into the directory entry file where it can be traced and bring it to the corresponding inode. It, therefore, gives the system the information and file data required when performing an operation or a process.
What is inode in hosting?
One of the most things to understand inode usage is where it is stored. Inodes are located adjacent to partition opening and serve as the storage of specific file information apart from the file name itself. For instance, all Linux directory files include an inode number and a filename so that users can easily retrieve all the metadata for a specific file by referring to the inode number.
For easier retrieval, the inode number and filenames have a separate link and index to the inode, and this you can easily link the metadata denoting the file. Moreover, the different storage makes it possible for several file names relating to a single inode or a piece of data.
Inode usage
Every inode is used to store the disk block locations and the attributes of the data of the object. Note, the file-system characterizes metadata, which acts as the indication of the time of last modification, access, changes as well as the file permission and owner of the data.
What is an inode number? Each inode in Linux structure has a unique number that is identified with it, which is also known as the index number.
Inodes have the following features:
- Number of links
- Owner
- Size
- The file type
- Time/Data
- Location in the disk
- Access control /the permissions
- Extra metadata concerning a file
How do the Inodes function?
Whenever a new file is created, it is usually assigned to an inode’s number and a file name and stored as unique entries in the directory. Remember that one way of exhausting your space on your file system is having all your Inodes in use. It means that even if you have adequate free space on a disk, it won’t be possible to create additional new files. When all inodes in your file system are in use, it can result in a sudden stop of your system.
How can you view Inodes in cPanel usage?
Once you log in on your cPanel home page, you will be in a position to see your file usage and its free percentage at the left panel.
A detailed tutorial on how to check your hosting plan Inodes usage →
How can you decrease your inodes usage while in a cPanel hosting? Although it is not a must to be an expert in inodes, particularly when hosting in ordinary circumstances such as regular emailing, to ensure your clients get high level and consistent serves, inode limits are fundamental. Inode limits help in reducing the number of resource abusers from the Reseller hosting and shared hosting.
Some of the practical steps you can use to reduce the inode number boundary include these steps:
- Deleting any unnecessary folders and files
- Clearing all Spam and old Emails
- Clearing all the cache files
