Resource access manager for controlling access to a limited-access resource

A computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying program instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement a method for controlling access to a limited-access resource comprising:

• creating a plurality of semaphores associated with the resource, each semaphore corresponding to a different access request priority level, the plurality of semaphores comprising a high priority semaphore that controls access to the resource, and at least one lower priority semaphore that gates low priority access requests into the high priority semaphore;
• receiving an access request for access to the resource from a client process;
• determining a priority level associated with the access request;
• if the semaphore corresponding to the priority level associated with the access request is available, allowing the access request to obtain the semaphore corresponding to the priority level associated with the access request;
• if the semaphore corresponding to the priority level associated with the access request is not available, suspending the access request;
• monitoring availability of each of the plurality of semaphores;
• when any of the plurality of semaphores becomes available, allowing a suspended access request waiting for the available semaphore to obtain the available semaphore.