Configuring resource allocation limits

Configure all resource allocation limits in one or more Limit sections in the lsb.resources file. Limit sections set limits for how much of the specified resources must be available for different classes of jobs to start, and which resource consumers the limits apply to.

lsb.resources file

You can also specify the duration for which the resource is reserved. When the duration expires, the resource is released, but the limitation is still enforced. This behavior applies for all type of resources, including built-in resources, static, and dynamic shared resources, LSF License Scheduler tokens. The resource requirements that are defined for queue level or job level are the same in this case.

Note: The Limit section of the lsb.resources file does not support the keywords or format that is used in the lsb.users, lsb.hosts, and lsb.queues files. However, any existing job slot limit configuration in these files continues to apply.

Resource parameters


Limit Limit section parameter
Total number of running and suspended (RUN, SSUSP, USUSP) jobs. JOBS
Total number of job slots that can be used by specific jobs. SLOTS
Jobs slots based on the number of processors on each host that is affected by the limit. SLOTS_PER_PROCESSOR and PER_HOST
Memory - if the PER_HOST parameter is set for the limit, the amount can be a percentage of memory on each host in the limit. MEM (in MB or units set in the LSF_UNIT_FOR_LIMITS parameter in the lsf.conf file)
Swap space - if the PER_HOST parameter is set for the limit, the amount can be a percentage of swap space on each host in the limit. SWP (in MB or units set in the LSF_UNIT_FOR_LIMITS parameter in the lsf.conf file)
Temp space - if the PER_HOST parameter is set for the limit, the amount can be a percentage of temp space on each host in the limit. TMP (in MB or units set in the LSF_UNIT_FOR_LIMITS parameter in the lsf.conf file)
Any shared resource. RESOURCE
Number of jobs that are dispatched per scheduling cycle - the USERS, PER_USER, QUEUES, or PER_QUEUE parameter must be set for the limit. JOB_DISPATCH_LIMIT

Note: By default, the tmp resource is not supported by the LSF_UNIT_FOR_LIMITS parameter. Use the parameter LSF_ENABLE_TMP_UNIT=Y to enable the LSF_UNIT_FOR_LIMITS parameter to support limits on the tmp resource.

Consumer parameters


Submitted jobs

Limit section parameter
By all specified users or user groups. USERS
To all specified queues. QUEUES
To all specified hosts, host groups, or compute units. HOSTS
For all specified projects. PROJECTS
By each specified user or each member of the specified user groups. PER_USER
To each specified queue. PER_QUEUE
To each specified host or each member of specified host groups or compute units. PER_HOST
For each specified project. PER_PROJECT