> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nuvolos.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nuvolos.com/billing/resource-pools-and-budgets.md).

# Resource pools and budgets

Resource pools are the cost-centre units of Nuvolos. Every resource pool holds a budget, and the resources mapped to it account their usage against that budget. This subsection covers how pools attach to the [organisational hierarchy](/concepts/nuvolos-basic-concepts/organisational-hierarchy.md), which roles can do what within a pool, the standard budgeting patterns, and how to transfer Credits between pools.

{% hint style="info" %}
Resource pools cannot be created in self-service. Contact Nuvolos support to create a new resource pool - they will discuss your use case and suggest an efficient layout.
{% endhint %}

## Resource pool mappings

The associations between resource pools and Nuvolos objects are called **mappings**. Three kinds of object can be mapped:

* **Organisations** - all resource usage in the organisation is billed against the mapped pool.
* **Spaces** - all usage in the Space is billed against the mapped pool.
* **Specific resources within a Space** - a particular resource type (for example, HPC computation) can be mapped to a different pool than the rest of the Space's resources.

{% hint style="info" %}
Mapping a specific resource type across all spaces in an organisation is not supported — this must be done space by space.
{% endhint %}

### Resource types

The following resource types can be mapped (the list may evolve as the offering grows):

* **File system storage** - storage on the [Nuvolos file system](/reference/file-system-and-storage.md). Monitor usage via [file system limits and capacities](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage/file-system-limits-and-capacities.md).
* **Database storage** - storage in the [Scientific Data Warehouse](/concepts/data-integration.md).
* **Database computation** - compute used by querying the Scientific Data Warehouse.
* **HPC interactive computation** - usage generated by [credit-based application sizes](/reference/applications/application-resources.md#size-and-price-of-an-application).
* **Professional services** - services delivered by the Nuvolos team on agreed terms.
* **Nuvolos Compute Units** - general application runs counted against the [NCU quota](/concepts/nuvolos-basic-concepts/nuvolos-compute-units-ncus.md) in your service agreement.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Resource mappings are atomic: you can't split the usage of a single resource type in a space across multiple pools. For example, you can't bill part of a space's file system storage to one pool and the rest to another, or split HPC costs by node pool. If you need that granularity, create separate spaces.
{% endhint %}

## Invite a resource pool manager

Resource pool managers can invite colleagues to become managers of resource pools they themselves manage.

1. Open the [resource monitoring dashboard](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage.md#the-monitoring-dashboard) - **Account & Settings → Resources**.
2. Select the relevant resource pool from the dropdown menu at the top.
3. Click the **Info** icon next to the dropdown to open the **Resource Pool Managers** menu.
4. At the bottom of the menu, click **Invite**.
5. In the **Invite New Resource Pool Manager** dialog, enter the email addresses of the colleagues to invite.
6. Click **Invite** to send the invitations.

## Resource pool roles

The resource pool role structure builds on the broader [Nuvolos role hierarchy](/concepts/roles-secrets-and-identity/roles.md) and adds one additional administrative role: resource pool manager. The matrix below summarises what each role can do in relation to a pool:

| Role                  | Can generate usage      | Can view pool budget | Can view detailed space usage        | Can modify mappings |
| --------------------- | ----------------------- | -------------------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------- |
| Instance viewer       | No                      | Overview only        | No                                   | No                  |
| Instance editor       | Yes                     | Overview only        | No                                   | No                  |
| Space administrator   | Yes                     | Yes                  | Own spaces + redacted info on others | No                  |
| Organisation faculty  | Yes (can create spaces) | Yes                  | Own spaces                           | No                  |
| Organisation manager  | Yes (can create spaces) | Yes                  | Own spaces                           | No                  |
| Resource pool manager | Yes                     | Yes                  | All spaces                           | Yes                 |

For a full description of the base roles, see [Roles and permissions](/concepts/roles-secrets-and-identity/roles.md).

{% hint style="info" %}
To find your resource pool manager, click the **i** info icon next to the resource pool name on the [monitoring dashboard](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage.md).
{% endhint %}

## Mapping a space to a resource pool

A user who is both a space administrator of a Space and a resource pool manager of a pool can map extra services in that Space to their pool. This pattern is particularly useful for researchers who have a personal budget but normally work in a shared organisation pool - they can route HPC computation, database computation, and database storage to their personal pool while continuing to use the shared pool for routine work.

**What space-level mapping covers:**

* **HPC interactive computation** - scaled application runs (see [application resources](/reference/applications/application-resources.md)).
* **Database computation** - query compute time in the Scientific Data Warehouse.
* **Database storage** - database storage held by the space.

{% hint style="info" %}
The mapping does not affect regular provisions such as NCU capacity for Included-size Application runs and file system storage. Those continue to be billed against the pool associated at the organisation or Space level.
{% endhint %}

**Change the pool mapping of an existing Space**

1. Navigate to the Space overview.
2. Open **Project Configuration** from the sidebar cogwheel menu.
3. Select the target resource pool in the **Resource Pool selection** menu.

You must hold both **space administrator** and **resource pool manager** rights in the target pool to perform this change.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Previous resource usage is not re-mapped when you change a space's pool. To reconcile historical usage, contact support.
{% endhint %}

## Enabling services (resource pool level)

Nuvolos supports additional services - video library, high-performance computing, and database tables - that can be toggled at three levels: resource pool, [organisation](/administration/organisation-management.md), and [space](broken://pages/c2cvwwBtotBexJD2jNeq). Resource pool managers control the pool-level settings.

{% hint style="info" %}
Pool-level services can only be enabled if your contract allows additional services. Contact support if you need a service that is not currently available on your contract.
{% endhint %}

To review or change service settings:

1. In the top right corner of your screen is the **Account & Settings** menu.
2. Navigate to **Account & Settings** > **Resources**.
3. Scoll down to the **Additional services** section on the **OVERVIEW** tab.
4. Enable/disable the services you want.

{% hint style="warning" %}
Pool-level services cannot be disabled in self-service. Contact support to disable a service.
{% endhint %}

## Budget patterns

You can structure budgets for colleagues who share funding by creating a resource pool per budget and mapping the relevant content into it. The following are common patterns.

**Multiple organisations in one resource pool**

A single pool shared by several [organisations](/concepts/nuvolos-basic-concepts/organisational-hierarchy.md#organisations). Useful when:

* The subscriber is large and splits its layout into several organisations.
* The subscriber is a conglomerate of loosely related sub-units.

**Research team with personal budgets**

* The research team has its own organisation.
* Each member has a personal resource pool mapped to their Spaces only.

**Research team with shared resources and a personal budget on one resource type**

* The team shares a main resource pool for general usage.
* Each member's Space maps a specific resource type - typically [HPC computation](/reference/applications/application-resources.md) or database storage - to a personal pool.

## Transferring credits between resource pools

Credits can be transferred between pools through the Nuvolos UI. Self-service transfers are allowed **between pools where you are a resource pool manager in both**.

1. Open the [monitoring dashboard](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage.md).
2. On the **Current balance** tile, click **Transfer credits**.
3. Select the target pool and enter the amount.

To transfer credits to a pool you do not manage, contact Nuvolos support.

{% hint style="info" %}
Designate one or more team members as resource pool managers across all related pools so they can redistribute Credits in self-service. This avoids having to file a support request every time a budget rebalance is needed.
{% endhint %}

#### Where to go next

* For monitoring how each pool is consumed, see [Administration › Resource monitoring](/administration/monitoring-resource-usage.md).
* For the conceptual model of resource pools, NCUs, and Credits, see [Concepts › The hierarchy and resource model](/concepts/nuvolos-basic-concepts.md).
* For practical strategies to reduce pool consumption, see [Pricing and cost control](/billing/pricing-and-cost-control.md).