Method to provide on-demand resource access

• US 8,135,795 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2003
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Birkestrand, Daniel Charles, Grimm, Randall Lane, Lewis, David Otto, Schardt, Terry Lyle
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing
• Assistant Examiner(s): Baturay, Alicia
• Application Number:
  US10/406,652
• Publication Number:
  US 20040236852A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,267 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709223-226, 709217-219, 709/208, 718/104
• US Class Current: 709/208
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/508 Monitor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/50 Allocation of resources, e.g. of the central processing unit [CPU]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5077 Logical partitioning of resources; Management or configuration of virtualized resources specific details on emulation or internal functioning of virtual machines G06F9/455

Abstract

Method, apparatus and article of manufacture for on-demand access to computerized resources. A resource-time value includes a resource-identifying component and a usage limit component. The resource-identifying component specifies a given type of a resource and the usage limit component defines a maximum allowable usage value of the resource on the basis of time and quantity. Upon verifying the resource-time value, a quantity of the resource is enabled. The enabled resources may then be placed into service for specified time periods, wherein the quantity of resources placed into service and the time periods are delimited by the usage limit component.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for enabling resources on a computerized apparatus, comprising:

receiving a resource-time value comprising;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of the computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the first quantity is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled;

enabling the quantity of the resource, wherein the resource is included in one of two or more logical partitions of hardware devices in the computerized apparatus, wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

storing usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

determining the expiration of the time period;

disabling the enabled quantity of the resource upon determining the expiration of the time period; and

generating an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein enabling comprises inputting the resource-time value into the computerized apparatus.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein enabling comprises inputting the resource-time value into the computerized apparatus via a user interface.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising validating the resource-time value.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein resource-time value is a machine-specific code unique to the computerized apparatus.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein a mathematical product of the quantity and the time period must be less than or equal to a maximum allowable usage value.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the resource is a processor and the time period is a number of days.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein enabling comprises making the quantity of the resource available to be placed into use, the method further comprising placing at least a portion of the enabled quantity of the resource into service for a specified time period.

9. A computer-implemented method for enabling resources on a computerized apparatus, comprising:

receiving a resource-time value comprising;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of the computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the first quantity is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled;

enabling the quantity of the resource, wherein the resource is included in one of two or more logical partitions of hardware devices in the computerized apparatus, wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

storing usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period, wherein the product of the quantity value and the time period value must be less than or equal to a maximum allowable usage value;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

disabling the enabled quantity of the enabled resource upon expiration of the time period; and

generating an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information.

10. A computer-implemented method for providing resource-enabling values, comprising:

generating a resource-time value comprising;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of the computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the first quantity is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled;

wherein the resource-time value is configured to;

enable, on the computerized apparatus, the quantity of the resource, wherein the resource wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

the enabled quantity of the resource being disabled after determining the expiration of the time period;

store, on the computerized apparatus, usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

determine, on the computerized apparatus, the expiration of the time period;

disable, on the computerized apparatus, the enabled quantity of the resource upon determining the expiration of the time period; and

generate, on the computerized apparatus, an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 wherein generating the resource-time value comprises encrypting the resource-time value.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 wherein the resource-time value is a machine-specific code unique to the computerized apparatus.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 wherein the time period is a number of days.

14. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing a program which, when executed, performs an operation, comprising:

receiving a resource-time value comprising;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of a computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the resource-quantity component is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled;

enabling the quantity of the resource, wherein the resource is included in one of two or more logical partitions of hardware devices in the computerized apparatus, wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

storing usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

determining the expiration of the time period;

disabling the enabled quantity of the resource upon determining the expiration of the time period; and

generating an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein enabling comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, the operation further comprising processing a request to use at least a portion of the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the apparatus.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, the operation further comprising placing the portion of the enabled quantity of the resource into service, whereby the portion of the enabled quantity of the resource is used by an operating system during operation of the apparatus.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the product of the quantity and the time period must be less than or equal to a maximum allowable usage value.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the resource-time value is a machine-specific code unique to the computerized apparatus, and further comprising validating the resource-time value.

20. A computerized apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of resources including hardware and software; and

a capacity manager configured to at least;

receive a resource-time value comprising;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of the computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the first quantity is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled;

enable the quantity of the resource, wherein the resource is included in one of two or more logical partitions of hardware devices in the computerized apparatus, wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

store usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

place the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period, wherein the product of the quantity value and the time period value must be less than or equal to a maximum allowable usage value;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

disable the enabled quantity of the enabled resource upon expiration of the time period; and

generate an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information.

21. A computer-implemented method for allowing enablement of resources on a computer, comprising:

generating an enablement code configured to enable the resources on the computer and make resources selectively available for use for a limited period of time upon request, wherein the enablement code comprises;

a resource-identifying component specifying a resource that is capable of being selectively enabled for use, wherein the resource includes at least one hardware resource of the computerized apparatus, the hardware resource being a hardware device selected from a memory, a processor and a storage device;

a resource-quantity component specifying a first quantity of the resource, wherein the first quantity is a fraction of the resource; and

a time component specifying a time period for which the resource is enabled, wherein the enablement code is configured to;

cause the quantity of the resource on the computer to be enabled, wherein the resource is included in one of two or more logical partitions of hardware devices in the computerized apparatus, and, wherein the enabling comprises determining, based on at least the first quantity, a second quantity, the second quantity representing one of a number of processor clock cycles, a quantity of memory capacity, and a quantity of storage of the at least one hardware device included in the resource;

wherein the enabled quantity of the resource further comprises unlocking the quantity of the resource and making it available for use upon request;

wherein placing the specified quantity of the enabled resource into service for the specified time period is done in response to a user request specifying the specified quantity and the specified time period;

cause the storage of usage information associated with the enabled quantity of the resource during operation of the computerized apparatus;

cause the enabled quantity of the resources to be disabled when the time period is decremented to zero;

cause the generation of an invoice based on the usage information, wherein the invoice includes a digital signature based on at least a portion of the usage information; and

sending the enablement code to a user of the computer, wherein the resources are inaccessible to the user without the enablement code.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising charging a fee for the enablement code.