Disk Space Issues

Disk Space Issues

Regardless of what kind of web hosting you have, be it shared, VPS, or dedicated, you will have a set disk space limit that all of your domains must adhere to. The most obvious usage of the disk space comes from the actual files for your websites, and the various kinds of media you display on those sites (such as pictures, videos, and music). Other sources, however, are not as obvious, and can quickly lead to domains shooting over their limits, disabling the site until the issue is resolved. To avoid situations such as these, it is important to know where you disk space usage is coming from, and what you can do to reduce it.

Is Your Tracking/Log Software Stealing Your Space?

The number one source of “phantom disk space usage” is usually produced by log files. If you have any sort of logging software installed on your domain, such as the popular tool ‘AWStats’, you are most likely generating daily usage logs that count towards your disk space limit. These logs are useful for determining where your site traffic is coming from, but depending on which options you have selected to track and how often the logs are saved, they can quickly accumulate and significantly impact your disk space usage. For example, if your tracking software produces a two megabyte statistics file every day, in one year you will have 730 megabytes of log files. Legacy data is most often not very useful, so either back them up locally, or just delete them outright. Also, if available, set your tracking software to only keep logs for three months.

Are You Checking Your Spam Folders?

Another source of disk space consumption can come from your email accounts. Many mail servers, by default, do not delete spam, simply moving it to a designated spam folder. Depending on how many messages you have sitting in that folder (hundreds or thousands), they could very well be consuming your disk space. Always be sure to clear out your spam folder once a month to avoid a situation like this.

Know What Your Disk Space Is To Avoid Suspension

One final source that people often do not consider is their sites’ databases. Depending on what your database is being used for, it can easily consume hundreds of megabytes worth of space. Always be aware of the size of your databases, especially if they are automatically updated.

In short, always be aware of your disk space usage to avoid having your sites automatically suspended. If you are unsure of how to reduce your disk space consumption, or are not sure what a specific file or directory is for, always consult with your web host before deleting data.
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