For managing a storage server having improving overall system performance, a first input/output (I/O) request is received. A first priority level is dynamically assigned to the first I/O request, the first I/O request associated with a performance level for an application residing on a host in communication with the storage server. A second I/O request of a second priority level is throttled to allow at least a portion of a predetermined amount of resources previously designated for performing the second I/O request to be re-allocated to performing the first I/O request. The second priority level is different than the first priority level.