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View Full Version : How many inodes do you have? Too many and your hosting account could get cancelled!


kingofoverkill
01-17-2009, 09:25 AM
Do you know what Inodes are? It is important because in these days of unlimited disk space in hosting plans inodes limit the amount of disk storage you can use and if you exceed certain limits, your host may stop backing up your website and may cancel your hosting account.

Here is the HostGator definition and policy on inodes for their shared hosting plans.

Every time a file is created on the server or uploaded, an inode (index node) is created, which contains information about the file and identifies it on the system. Because server reliability is the number one concern, we recommend limiting your usage below 250,000 inodes. Furthermore, if inodes in your account exceed 50,000, then ONLY your databases will be backed up on our weekly backup schedule. Static files will not get backed up. This is usually not a problem unless, for some reason, your account is cluttered with unnecessary files...."

From the Host Gator Terms of Service:

The use of more than 50,000 inodes on any shared account may potentially result in suspension. Accounts found to be exceeding the 50,000 inode limit will automatically be removed from our backup system to avoid over-usage. Every file (a webpage, image file, email, etc) on your account uses up 1 inode.
Sites that slightly exceed our inode limits are unlikely to be suspended; however, accounts that constantly create and delete large numbers of files on a regular basis, have hundreds of thousands of files, or cause file system damage may be flagged for review and/or suspension. The primary cause of excessive inodes seems to be due to users leaving their catchall address enabled, but never checking their primary account mailbox. Over time, tens of thousands of messages (or more) build up, eventually pushing the account past our inode limit. To disable your default mailbox, login to cPanel and choose "Mail", then "Default Address", "Set Default Address", and then type in: :fail: No such user here.

However, in the control panel, it appears as if the limit is 250k, but you will lose the backup if you exceed 50k.

Does anyone know where HostGator really draws the line?

TahoeWeb
01-19-2009, 09:18 AM
Good post. Seems that Host Gator is trying to force people to spend more money and switch to a dedicated server. Classic example of massive over selling, trying to put thousands of sites on one cluster.

Could it be the photos? if that is the case, maybe host photos at another location...But having to do that just seems as if it would be pain.

I really do not think Host Gator draws any line, they are in it for the dollar and nothing else.

CryptWizard
01-24-2009, 11:08 PM
Basically,

1 file = 1 inode.

There is a specific finite amount of inodes in a file system (typically the same as a partition).

Backing up that many inodes will be unsustainable, and it's pretty hard to run up 50000 inodes/files, unless you've got something really weird going.

kingofoverkill
01-25-2009, 04:26 PM
I'm not close to approaching the 50k inode limit, but did ask the question to HostGator and here is their answer:

After 50,000 inodes your account is no longer backup up via our automated system. Having more inodes will not get your account canceled without us working with you to correct the problem. Having 1,000,000 cache files in a cache directory, however, can create problems for us when we have to reboot, or other problems.

I like the fact that HostGator is willing to work with customers if they have an issue with this.

fazewire
01-25-2009, 06:40 PM
I think this is to pad all their "unlimited" users who are not really unlimited. It is obviously a necessary rule, but a marketing scam in the unlimited name.

It is nice to hear that they will work with you though.