How to Check Your Unix Disk Usage

Explanation

The Linux file servers for UTD have quotas enabling the limitation of user’s storage to 10 GB. If you go over the quota you will not be able to write any new data. Existing data will still be accessible, but you will not be able to add any new data until you have deleted or moved enough data to go under the 10 GB quota. You can check your usage, by opening a SSH session.

Table of Contents

• Check Current Disk Usage
• List Large Files
• Delete Files

Check Current Disk Usage

1. Launch an SSH client (e.g. PuTTY).
2. Enter giant.utdallas.edu or mars.utdallas.edu as the Host Name.
3. Ensure the SSH bubble is selected for "Connection type," then choose Open.
4. Enter your NetID, Password, and Duo Authentication when prompted.
5. Once connected to Giant or Mars, please enter the following command to display your disk usage:du -sh $HOME

List Large Files

Enter the following command to list all large files on your drive. For best results, copy and paste this command: 
find . -size +10M -exec ls -lh {} \;

Delete Files

Once you have identified a file that can be deleted, please enter the following command below while substituting the file's name as seen in the SSH client for "filename.": rm -f filename

This will delete the selected file from your drive. As seen in the image below, a file was deleted and confirmed through running the List Large Files command.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the OIT Service Desk or your departmental IT support about moving the data to your OneDrive, local storage, or a departmental share.