Systems and methods for allocating resources are disclosed. Resources such as streams are allocated using restore credits. Credits are issued to the clients in a manner that ensure the system is operating in a safe allocation state. The credits can be used not only to allocate resources but also to throttle clients where necessary. Credits can be granted fully, partially, and in a number greater than requested. Zero or negative credits can also be issued to throttle clients. Restore credits are associated with reads and may be allocated by determining how many credits a CPU/cores can support. This maximum number may be divided amongst clients connected with the server.