Method and system for managing memory

The present invention relates to methods for managing memory. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to methods for managing memory across a plurality of partitions. A first method is disclosed which allocates memory across a plurality of partitions and includes the steps of: establishing a pool of free memory ; allocating some of the free memory to a target partition when required; identifying memory within one or more source partitions to replace the allocated free memory; cleaning the identified memory; and adding the cleaned memory to the pool . A second method for allocating memory across a plurality of partitions is also disclosed. The second method includes the steps of: monitoring the workloads of each partition; identifying memory from a lesser-loaded source partition to transfer to a free memory pool; cleaning the identified memory; transferring the cleaned memory to the free memory pool ; and allocating memory from the free memory pool to a target partition when required. Systems and computer software for managing memory are also disclosed.