The root ( / ) filesystem is full

[Nisar Ahmad]

Hi There

The root / filesystem is full ie 100%. Is there any way we can bring it down and what is the reason it ios getting full ?

Thanks in advance.

Nisar

[Michael Tully]

Hi,

These are the first things I would look for, to fix this problem.

core files
files in /dev that shouldn't be there, like tar archives
files in /etc that are very large

e.g.
find / -xdev -size 100000c -print

[Jon Mattatall]

The root filesystem should not be growing inexpliciably.

There are a few initial steps to take -

Search for "core" files and remove them. If the creation dates are recent, try "file core" to see if you get any useful information.

Search for log files in the filesystem. There should not be logging taking place there, but...

And check for files being "temporarily" stored there by misguided individuals. It's even possible that someone has messed up and tried to install something there.

Jon

[Ninad_1]

Hi Nisar,
Tell me one thing is your /var a separate filesystem or is in the root itself. If it is in the root filesystem only then you can clear logs from the /var directory. Then you can remove the core files that may be there.
you can use the find command to search for large files. also check the /tmp directory for any temporary files that were created during any s/w installation. i think that would help.

Ninad

[Patrick Wallek · Accepted solution]

Something else to look for when / fills up is files in /dev/rmt that don't belong.

Usually the cause is that someone made a typo and did /dev/rmt/om, or maybe /dev/rmt/Om, that is they used the letter o instead of a zero in the device file in a tar command and filled up your root.

[Nisar Ahmad]

Hi Patrick

Excelent !!

It was just om.

Now it is OK.

Thanks a lot

Nisar