Dynamic storage bandwidth allocation

Abstract

A computer system, method, and program product for dynamically allocating storage bandwidth in an exchange is provided. The method provided creates, by an exchange server, a total inventory of resources for auction, whereby the total inventory of resources for auction includes resources from at least one provider. The total inventory of resources for auction is broadcast to at least one bidder. The amount of a resource is awarded to the at least one bidder at an end of a bidding interval, based on a bid provided by the at least one bidder during the bidding interval, where the amount of the resource is a portion of the total inventory of resources for auction.

1 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A computer program product for dynamically allocating storage bandwidth in an exchange, comprising:
 a computer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method comprising:   creating, by an exchange server, a total inventory of resources for auction, wherein the total inventory of resources for auction comprises resources from at least one provider;   broadcasting the total inventory of resources for auction to at least one bidder; and   awarding an amount of a resource to the at least one bidder at an end of a bidding interval, based on a bid provided by the at least one bidder during the bidding interval, wherein the amount of the resource is a portion of the total inventory of resources for auction.   
     
     
         8 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one bidder limits usage of the awarded resource to the amount of the awarded resource. 
     
     
         9 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 dynamically adjusting the total inventory of resources for auction, based on receiving an updated notification of available resources from the at least one provider; and   based on the at least one bidder returning to the at least one provider the amount of the awarded resource no longer being used.   
     
     
         10 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the exchange server includes an exchange agent configured for:
 receiving the bids from the at least one bidder;   determining a successful bid, based on the successful bid being a highest number of units bid for the amount of the resource;   notifying the at least one bidder having the successful bid of a total cost of the successful bid; and   managing the bidding interval, wherein the exchange agent notifies the at least one provider and the at least one bidder of the start and the end of the bidding interval.   
     
     
         11 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one bidder includes a bidder agent configured for:
 creating the bid, wherein the bid comprises a resource name, a number of units of resource desired, and a number of units bid for each unit of resource;   maintaining an account balance of the number of units available to bid, wherein the total cost of the successful bid is deducted from the account balance; and   maintaining a history of the bids provided, wherein the history includes the successful bids and the unsuccessful bids.   
     
     
         12 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the bidding interval is a configurable period of time, and wherein the exchange server receives the bids for the amount of the resources from the at least one bidder, and the resources available for auction from the at least one provider. 
     
     
         13 . The computer program product of  claim 7 , wherein the creating the bid further comprises:
 creating a next bid, during the bidding interval, for the amount of the resource based on the bid being unsuccessful;   analyzing the history of the bids provided and adjusting the next bid based on at least one of:
 an amount of resource consumed; 
 a ratio of successful bids to unsuccessful bids; and 
 a percentage of awarded resource left unused. 
   
     
     
         14 . A computer system for dynamically allocating storage bandwidth in an exchange, comprising:
 a memory, a processing unit communicatively coupled to the memory, and a management module communicatively coupled to the memory and processing unit, wherein the management module is configured to perform the steps of a method comprising:   creating, by an exchange server, a total inventory of resources for auction, wherein the total inventory of resources for auction comprises resources from at least one provider;   broadcasting the total inventory of resources for auction to at least one bidder; and   awarding an amount of a resource to the at least one bidder at an end of a bidding interval, based on a bid provided by the at least one bidder during the bidding interval, wherein the amount of the resource is a portion of the total inventory of resources for auction.   
     
     
         15 . The computer system product of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one bidder limits usage of the awarded resource to the amount of the awarded resource. 
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 dynamically adjusting the total inventory of resources for auction, based on receiving an updated notification of available resources from the at least one provider; and   based on the at least one bidder returning to the at least one provider the amount of the awarded resource no longer being used.   
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 14  wherein the exchange server includes an exchange agent configured for:
 receiving the bids from the at least one bidder; 
 determining a successful bid, based on the successful bid being a highest number of units bid for the amount of the resource; 
 notifying the at least one bidder having the successful bid of a total cost of the successful bid; and 
 managing the bidding interval, wherein the exchange agent notifies the at least one provider and the at least one bidder of the start and the end of the bidding interval. 
 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one bidder includes a bidder agent configured for:
 creating the bid, wherein the bid comprises a resource name, a number of units of resource desired, and a number of units bid for each unit of resource;   maintaining an account balance of the number of units available to bid, wherein the total cost of the successful bid is deducted from the account balance; and   maintaining a history of the bids provided, wherein the history includes the successful bids and the unsuccessful bids.   
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the bidding interval is a configurable period of time, and wherein the exchange server receives the bids for the amount of the resources from the at least one bidder, and the resources available for auction from the at least one provider. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 14 , wherein the creating the bid further comprises:
 creating a next bid, during the bidding interval, for the amount of the resource based on the bid being unsuccessful;   analyzing the history of the bids provided and adjusting the next bid based on at least one of:
 an amount of resource consumed; 
 a ratio of successful bids to unsuccessful bids; and 
 a percentage of awarded resource left unused.