Embodiments provide a method of dynamically setting the automation behavior of resources via switching between an active mode and a passive mode. One embodiment is a method that includes placing a first computing resource into a first desired state and an active behavioral mode and placing a second computing resource having a relationship to the first resource into the first desired state when a first request for the first resource that specifies the first desired state is received. The method also includes placing the first computing resource into a standby state and a passive behavioral mode and not placing the second computing resource into the first desired state.