1. What Are Inodes

An inode is a data structure used in Linux based file systems to store metadata about files and directories. Every file, folder, and email consumes exactly one inode.

• One file equals one inode
• One folder equals one inode
• One email equals one inode

Each inode stores metadata such as:

• File size
• Permissions
• Ownership
• Timestamps
• Pointers to data blocks

2. Why Inodes Are Important

Inode limits help prevent file overload in shared hosting environments. When inode limits are exceeded the following issues may occur:

• Website errors or slow performance
• Email delivery failures
• WordPress or plugin update failures
• Backup failures
• Overall server slowdowns

Inodes affect website performance, email performance, and server stability.

3. Inode Limits for All iCoreHosting Plans

3.1 cPanel and DirectAdmin Shared Hosting GX Series

• GX10GB: 100000 inodes
• GX20GB: 100000 inodes
• GX100GB: 300000 inodes
• Biz Unlimited: 500000 inodes

3.2 Business Email Hosting

• Standard: 100000 inodes
• Premium: 300000 inodes
• Enterprise: 500000 inodes

3.3 WordPress Hosting

• Starter: 100000 inodes
• Advance: 200000 inodes
• Business: 300000 inodes
• Premium: 400000 inodes

3.4 Reseller Hosting

• Each Sub Account: 100000 inodes

3.5 VPS and Dedicated Hosting

• No inode limits
• No file count restrictions
• No inode related SLA enforcement

VPS and Dedicated users have full control of the file system. Inode limits apply only to shared hosting services.

4. Shared Hosting and VPS or Dedicated Differences

Shared Hosting

Shared hosting servers host many users on one machine. Inode limits protect overall performance.

• Prevents overload caused by too many small files
• Keeps backup and restore operations stable
• Provides fair resource distribution for all users

VPS and Dedicated Hosting

These operate in isolated environments where your files do not affect others.

• No inode limits
• No warnings related to file count
• No fair use inode restriction

5. Email Inodes Explanation

One email with all attachments uses one inode.

• Email with three attachments equals one inode
• Ten thousand emails equals ten thousand inodes
• Deleting emails reduces inode usage immediately

Folders with high inode usage:

• Inbox
• Sent Items
• Trash
• Spam or Junk
• IMAP custom folders

6. Inode SLA Warnings and Enforcement

Warning Level

• At 80 percent usage an automatic warning email will be sent

Restriction Level

• At 100 percent usage:
• No new files created
• No new incoming emails
• Possible website errors
• Backups may fail

SLA Enforcement

• Account may be restricted to protect server stability
• Severe overuse may require compulsory upgrade
• Backups may be skipped during over usage
• Very extreme file counts may trigger temporary isolation

Inode overuse is not covered under uptime SLA.

7. Fair Use Policy

Fair Use Includes

• Staying under your inode limit
• Normal CMS usage
• Normal email usage

Not Fair Use

• Millions of small files created by scripts
• Excessive IMAP email storage
• Cache plugins creating uncontrolled files
• Storing backups inside hosting account

Purpose of Fair Use

• Protect server stability
• Ensure fast backup and recovery
• Maintain equal performance for all customers

8. How to Manage and Reduce Inode Usage

Remove Unnecessary Files

• Delete unused plugins or themes
• Clear cache and temporary files
• Remove old backups

Reduce Email Inodes

• Archive old emails to local storage
• Empty spam and trash folders frequently
• Disable leave copy on server for POP3

Compress Files

• Compress rarely used directories into zip

Optimise WordPress Cache

• Use LiteSpeed Cache
• Avoid plugins that generate excessive session files

9. When to Upgrade

If you often reach your inode limit an upgrade provides better stability.

• GX100GB: 300k inodes
• Biz Unlimited: 500k inodes
• Dedicated Hosting: Unlimited inode capacity

10. Need Assistance

If you need help checking inode usage or advice on reducing file count please contact iCoreHosting Support.

https://www.icore.com.my/support

FAQ

1. Why do I hit inode limit even when I still have disk space

Disk space and inode count are separate. You may still have free storage but reach the maximum allowed number of files or emails.

2. Do email attachments count as separate inodes

No. One email including all attachments counts as one inode.

3. Will deleting emails reduce inode usage immediately

Yes. When emails are deleted inode usage drops immediately.

4. Why does iCoreHosting enforce inode limits

To maintain server performance and ensure fair resource usage for all users on the same shared hosting environment.

5. Can inode limits be increased

No. Shared hosting inode limits cannot be increased. Upgrading is the correct solution.

6. Are inode issues covered under uptime SLA

No. Inode overuse is a user side responsibility and not part of uptime SLA.

7. Which services provide unlimited inodes

All VPS and Dedicated Hosting plans include unlimited inode usage.

Summary

Inodes represent the number of files, folders, and emails within a hosting account. Shared hosting includes inode limits to protect server stability and performance. iCoreHosting provides clear inode allowances, fair use guidelines, and SLA enforcement for over usage. Users can manage inode usage through regular housekeeping and email management. For businesses requiring high file counts or long term growth, upgrading to higher plans or VPS or Dedicated hosting offers unlimited inode capacity and greater flexibility.

Use Case

Use Case 1: Email heavy organisation

A company keeps emails for many years using IMAP. The mailbox grows to more than one hundred thousand emails and reaches the inode limit. The company clears old folders and later upgrades to a higher email plan for stable long term usage.

Use Case 2: WordPress site with large number of cache files

A WordPress site creates thousands of temporary cache and session files due to multiple plugins. Inode usage reaches eighty percent and triggers warning. After clearing cache and removing unused plugins the inode count goes back to normal.

Use Case 3: Reseller client storing backups in hosting folder

A reseller sub account stores many zip backups which pushes inode usage over the limit. The backups are removed and the client is advised to use external storage. The hosting account performance improves instantly.

Use Case 4: Growing business outgrowing shared hosting

An expanding business uploads many product images and receives many email orders. Shared hosting inode limits are reached frequently. The business upgrades to VPS hosting which provides unlimited inode usage and stable performance for future growth.