USENIX Association Proceedings of LISA 2002 : 16 th Systems Administration

Disk quota systems exist to protect a limited resource and ensure that users can share it. However, existing quota management systems concentrate on controlling user privileges, rather than protecting resources. This paper suggests a new management model based upon a holistic view of resources and their controls. By acting upon a resource globally rather than upon individual users, the new approach exposes trends, allows for better resource planning, and allows for easy understanding of the impact of changes on a user's ability to accomplish work. A new tool 'Qualm' is the first component of a new system for dynamic resource management that allows for decisions based not upon fixed limits for resource usage, but upon limits that change with usage patterns and demand.