System and method for metering the performance of a data processing system
First Claim
1. A method of metering performance of a data processing system, comprising:
- monitoring the performance of the data processing system; and
charging a customer based on utilized performance that exceeds a baseline performance level.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for metering usage of a data processing system and scaling system performance is disclosed. In one embodiment, an authorization key is purchased that specifies both a baseline performance level and a ceiling performance level. The cost of the baseline and ceiling performance levels is included in the price of the key. After the key is installed on the data processing system, the system performance level is monitored and averaged over predetermined time periods. The customer is charged on a “pay-as-you-go” basis for any time periods during which the average performance level exceeds the baseline performance level. Performance of the data processing system is not allowed to exceed the ceiling level obtained with the authorization key. In one embodiment, the baseline level may be set to zero so that all performance consumption is purchased by the customer as it is utilized.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A method of metering performance of a data processing system, comprising:
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monitoring the performance of the data processing system; and
charging a customer based on utilized performance that exceeds a baseline performance level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. The method of Clam 20, wherein the charging step includes billing the customer for the excess consumption occurring during each of the averaging periods within a predetermined billing period.
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22. A data processing system, comprising:
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one or more processors;
a memory coupled to the processors; and
Software Controlled Performance Facility (SCPF) software stored within the memory to monitor performance of at least one of the processors, and to charge a customer based on the performance that is utilized. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A system for charging for performance of a data processing system having one or more processors, comprising:
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means for recording performance of the one or more processors;
means for determining system utilized performance of the data processing system from the recorded performance of the one or more processors; and
means for charging a customer based on the system utilized performance of the data processing system. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification