Patent ID: 7322034

Claim:
A computer system that dynamically allocates computer system resources among workloads subject to a utilization cap, comprising: a processor; a memory connected to the processor; a usage meter that determines utilization of system resources by workloads; a resource allocator that receives utilization data from the usage meter as the workloads execute and allocates the system resources to the workloads according to priorities associated with each of a plurality of service level objectives for execution of the workloads, subject to a utilization cap having a priority; wherein the resource allocator determines whether a workload requires resources in excess of the utilization cap; and allocates additional resources the workload if the workload is associated with a service level objective that has a higher priority than the priority of the utilization cap; wherein the resource allocator recaptures the additional resources using recapture parameters including a recapture limit that limits the allocation of resources below the utilization cap, during a recapture period; a pay per use (PPU) system that receives utilization data from the usage meter and changes a user for use of the system resources during a billing period, based on the utilization data; and a data collector that sends the utilization data from the PPU system to the resource allocator, wherein the recapture limits is imposed during the billing period to limit and average utilization of resources during the billing period to the utilization cap, if there are additional resources to recapture.