1. A method for managing resources in a network data processing system, the method comprising: receiving a request for the resources in the network data processing system, wherein the request comprises requested values for a plurality of attributes for the resources in the network data processing system; responsive to receiving the request, identifying potential resources in the network data processing system; and evaluating the request using a function configured to generate identified values for the plurality of attributes from the requested values in the request based on proximity scores for the plurality of attributes in the potential resources relative to an ideal allocation of the potential resources and resource weights for the plurality of attributes in the potential resources.