What's a "file system inode"???

[guyver01]

One of our servers went down because it was out of inodes. WTF is an inode?
i know it's something with Unix... beyond that... dunno.

 

[Ameesh]

an inode is a pointer used in the file system. A series of inodes defines where and what files make up your filesystem.

edit: before some idiot comes in here and starts mouthing off, i freely admit that this is a simplification but it is essentially correct. if you want to learn more about it read up on the internet or check out your source code.

 

Oh God, what a lame-ass explaination.

 

[kranky]

inodes are data structures that contain information about files in Unix file systems. Each file has an inode and is identified by an inode number (i-number) in the file system where it resides. inodes provide important information on files such as user and group ownership, access mode (read, write, execute permissions) and type.

inodes are created when a file system is created. There are a set number of inodes, which indicates the maximum number of files the system can hold.

A file's inode number can be found using the ls -i command, while the ls -l command will retrieve inode information.

[above from webopedia.com]

Essentially, when your sysadmin created the file system he didn't allocate enough inodes.

 

[guyver01]

gotcha.. thanks!!