Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : Web Hosting : File count limit, per account?

[dark_code]

Hello.

When viewing various hosting options, I never see a file count limit listed. I know they are out there because I reached my limit on a website I was hosting. I had to pay extra for additional file allocation. Not webspace, but file count.

However, when signing up (I won't say who the host is but it is a biggie), they never provided limit numbers (this was a shared plan). It wasn't until site items were coming in blank did we find the problem.

Also, I ran into this on another host, but since this one was a VPS account, they issued me more inodes for no extra cost. (I'm assuming they do the on demand thing).

I am wondering how hosts deal with this problem. I have 10+ hosted websites on 4 different hosts.

The real problem lies when you hit this unknown limit, CGI's that create files all of the sudden can't create files anymore without any warning.

Does any have any tips or experience with this? Any opinions or information is appreciated.

[blue27]

File count should be irrelevant as long as you are within your space limits and are adhering to the TOS.

[dark_code]

Right, they should be. But maybe it depends on the host?
Here is an example from another client, exactly as it states in the control panel.

Actual Usage Included With Your Plan
Disk Space Usage: 70.75 MB 200.00 MB
Disk File Usage: 3020 Files 10000 Files
Traffic/Bandwidth: 80.71 MB 6.00 GB

This host provides the numbers, but most do not. This host charges $9.99 a month to add another 5,000 files.
Some of my clients run out of file count way before they run out of space or bandwidth.

[blue27]

Looks like a scam. Personally I would avoid a host who choses to place this kind of limitation.
Make that part of your pre-sales questions. It's a good way to test response time.

[cperciva]

Practically speaking, every host is going to have an inode limit -- the vast majority of them simply aren't aware of it.

Given the way that disks are formatted these days, running into the inode limit is extremely rare; but it's still there.

[Kimmikat]

For example, PowWeb has a file limit of 15360 per client.

[NexDog]

Just ask the host if they have a limit before you sign up. You will find that most do not regulate it.