What is the alert criterion for a low number of available inodes?

The alert criterion for a low number of available inodes is set at less than 5% available inodes. This threshold is significant because inodes are data structures used by file systems to store information about files and directories, such as their attributes and the location of their data blocks. A low percentage of free inodes indicates that the file system is nearing capacity concerning the number of files it can contain, which can lead to issues with file creation and overall system performance.

Setting the threshold at less than 5% balances the need to manage inode availability proactively while allowing some flexibility. It alerts administrators before the situation becomes critical, helping prevent service disruptions that could occur if the inode limit is reached. This proactive monitoring can improve system reliability and performance, making it essential to maintain sufficient available inodes for ongoing operations.