Abstract: A method and device for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system. Configuration data comprises permanent entitlement data specifying permanent functional capabilities of the data processing system and temporary entitlement data, generated from temporary entitlement records received by the data processing system, specifying temporary functional capabilities of the data processing system. When storing temporary entitlement data, an activation level record specifying a number of resources of the data processing system used for temporarily implementing functional capabilities according to the temporary entitlement data is generated and stored.

Abstract: The invention relates to the configuration of functional capabilities in a computer system. It uses a temporary entitlement record, which contains a set of rules that can be combined in any order. The rules specify entitlements for temporary capacity of the computer system. The configuration is accomplished by assigning the separate activation level structure to each of the currently active offerings. An activation level structure reflects the amount of temporary resources that are active on behalf of a temporary entitlement record, and the amount of resources that the computer system user of this temporary entitlement record will be accounted for.