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Method of providing metered capacity of temporary computer resources

  • US 7,627,506 B2
  • Filed: 07/10/2003
  • Issued: 12/01/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2003
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method for providing metered capacity of at least one temporary resource on demand in a computer system that includes a plurality of logical partitions, the method comprising the steps of:

  • providing at least one processor in the computer system;

    providing a network interface coupled to the at least one processor that allows the computer system to communicate with other computer systems;

    requesting an enablement code from a resource provider for the computer system;

    receiving the enablement code from the resource provider, wherein the enablement code includes a specified resource-time for a selected resource;

    enabling the selected resource for use;

    when the selected resource is dedicated to one of the plurality of logical partitions, performing the steps of;

    starting a meter timer;

    using the selected resource until a time to bill occurs;

    sending a record of metered usage to the resource provider based on value of the meter timer; and

    the resource provider sending a bill for the metered usage of the selected resource to a customer;

    when the selected resource is not dedicated to one of the plurality of logical partitions and is shared between first and second logical partitions, performing the steps of;

    the first logical partition using the selected resource without charge until the metered use of the selected resource by the first logical partition exceeds a first predetermined non-zero threshold that specifies allowable usage of the selected resource by the first logical partition;

    metering use of the selected resource by the first logical partition that exceeds the first predetermined non-zero threshold until a time to bill occurs;

    sending a record of metered usage of the selected resource by the first logical partition that exceeds the first predetermined non-zero threshold to the resource provider;

    the resource provider sending a bill for the metered usage of the selected resource that exceeds the first predetermined non-zero threshold to the customer;

    the second logical partition using the selected resource without charge until the metered use of the selected resource by the second logical partition exceeds a second predetermined non-zero threshold that specifies allowable usage of the selected resource by the second logical partition;

    metering use of the selected resource by the second logical partition that exceeds the second predetermined non-zero threshold until a time to bill occurs;

    sending a record of metered usage of the selected resource by the second logical partition that exceeds the second predetermined non-zero threshold to the resource provider; and

    the resource provider sending a bill for the metered usage of the selected resource that exceeds the second predetermined non-zero threshold to the customer.

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