Deleting large no of files on linux eats up CPU

Posted by Sanjay on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Sanjay
Published on 2010-03-27T08:26:44Z Indexed on 2010/03/27 8:33 UTC
Read the original article Hit count: 251

Filed under:

linux

|

file-management

|

delete

I generate more than 50GB of cache files on my RHEL server (and typical file size is 200kb so no of files is huge). When I try to delete these files it takes 8-10 hours.

However, the bigger issue is that the system load goes to critical for these 8-10 hours. Is there anyway where I can keep the system load under control during the deletion.

I tried using

nice -n19 rm -rf *

but that doesn't help in system load.

© Super User or respective owner

Related posts about linux

apt-get install and update fail

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I've got a problem with apt-get update and apt-get install ... commands . every time update or installing fails and errors are : Get:1 http://dl.google.com stable Release.gpg [198B] Ign http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable/main Translation-en_US Get:2 http://dl… >>> More
kernel module compiling error

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
sh@ubuntu:/home/ccpp/helloworld$ make gcc-4.6 -O2 -DMODULE -D_KERNEL_ -W -Wall -Wstrict-prototypes -Wmissing-prototypes -isystem /lib/modules/`uname -r`/build/include -c -o hello-1.o hello-1.c hello-1.c:4:0: warning: "MODULE" redefined [enabled by default] <command-line>:0:0: note: this is… >>> More
Build-Essentials installation failing

as seen on Ask Ubuntu - Search for 'Ask Ubuntu'
I am having trouble accessing the several critical header files that show to be a part of the build process. The "Ubuntu Software Center" shows "Build Essentials" as installed: Next I did the following two commands, which did not improve the problem: ~$ sudo apt-get install build-essential [sudo]… >>> More
Updating Debian kernel

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I'm trying to update my Debian machine to 2.6.32-46 (which is the new stable). However, after doing apt-get update my apt-cache search linux-image shows me: linux-headers-2.6.32-5-486 - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-486 linux-headers-2.6.32-5-686-bigmem - Header files for Linux 2.6.32-5-686-bigmem linux-headers-2… >>> More
Serial connection over a single USB cable (Windows to linux, or linux to linux)

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm helping out with a project for an embedded device that only has USB and no serial. This device is running Linux. These days, when we need to connect to a serial port on a device we typically use a USB to serial adapter (on something like a phone system or a load balancing device, etc). I would… >>> More

Related posts about file-management

An open source FileManagement component helps developing file-required systems easier in .NET

as seen on Code Project - Search for 'Code Project'
The component is designed to save the effort on developing file-required systems through its easy APIs and integration with ASP.NET web development, e.g. a product requires attachments and thumbnails in a product management system. >>> More
An open source FileManagement component helps developing file-required systems easier in .NET

as seen on Dot net Slackers - Search for 'Dot net Slackers'
The component is designed to save the effort on developing file-required systems through its easy APIs and integration with ASP.NET web development, e.g. a product requires attachments and thumbnails in a product management system....Did you know that DotNetSlackers also publishes .net articles written… >>> More
GUI FTP and File Management for Linux VPS

as seen on Super User - Search for 'Super User'
I'm interested in how I could remotely control FTP and file management on my Linux VPS with a GUI. I frequently transfer sites to my VPS for testing, and I'd much rather do it directly on the high bandwidth connection instead of my 10down, 2up Comcrap cable. >>> More
GUI FTP and File Management for Linux VPS

as seen on Server Fault - Search for 'Server Fault'
I'm interested in how I could remotely control FTP and file management on my Linux VPS with a GUI. I frequently transfer sites to my VPS for testing, and I'd much rather do it directly on the high bandwidth connection instead of my 10down, 2up Comcrap cable. >>> More
Help needed implementing a web based file management system with a file hierarchy system, help neede

as seen on Stack Overflow - Search for 'Stack Overflow'
Hello i am trying to create a web application that will allow users to upload files online, i am using gwt while using hibernate for database communication, i am able to upload file to a server , and store them on the server. but what i want is to associate the files with a user. i want the user… >>> More