Patent ID: 8424010
Filing Date: 2013-04-16
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for monitoring a shared resource, the computer-implemented method comprising: monitoring, via one or more processors, use of a shared resource by a first resource dependent entity, wherein the first resource dependent entity (a) is associated with a resource dependent entity identifier and (b) is associated with a relationship status that identifies the first resource dependent entity's use of the shared resource; after a change in use of the shared resource by the first resource dependent entity, generating a notification of the change in use; after receiving the notification of the change in use of the shared resource by the first resource dependent entity, updating the relationship status of the first resource dependent entity to reflect the change in use by the first resource dependent entity; receiving, via the one or more processors, a request from a second resource dependent entity for use of the shared resource; after receiving the request from the second resource dependent entity for use of the shared resource, determining whether the shared resource is available to satisfy the request of the second resource dependent entity, wherein the determination is based at least in part on the relationship status of the first resource dependent entity; after a determination that the shared resource is not available to satisfy the request of the second resource dependent entity, determining whether at least a portion of the shared resource can be released from the first resource dependent entity to satisfy the request of the second resource dependent entity; and after a determination that the at least a portion of the shared resource can be released from the first resource dependent entity, causing release of the at least a portion of the shared resource from the first resource dependent entity and generating a notification indicating the availability of the shared resource for the second resource dependent entity; wherein (a) the relationship status is selected from the group consisting of a strongly owned relationship, a weakly owned relationship, and an unowned relationship and (b) the relationship status changes during the lifetime of the first resource dependent entity; and wherein the first resource dependent entity's use of the shared resource is released prior to the termination of normal processing and allocated to the second resource dependent entity.