Patent · US Expired

Capping processor utilization

US7143411B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
13References
32Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 15, 2002
Grant dateNov 28, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 22, 2024

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method allow for capping processor utilization in a computer system. The processors are typically central processing units (CPUs) under control of a system scheduler. The system scheduler controls which of the CPUs will run specific processes. The processes may run according to a predefined priority assigned to each of the processors. A processor bandwidth waster includes a software routine that operates as an infinite loop in one or more of the CPUs. The bandwidth waster may have the highest priority of any process in the computer system such that the bandwidth waster always runs on the CPUs unless a specific action is taken to turn off, or stop, the bandwidth waster. Data are gathered from the CPUs, including time of operation of any bandwidth waster, and the gathered data are used to compute a bill for operation of the computer system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.