Patent attributes
A method, apparatus, and system are directed toward managing cluster membership through a discovery process that enables selection of a master for the cluster. If a node on a network is the first to initiate the discovery process, it assumes the master role. Where two or more nodes enter the discovery process at the same time, or where a cluster is disjointed, views of the potential members to the cluster are shared among the nodes. Each node coalesces and sorts the views. The master may then be determined from the sorted views. In one embodiment, the master is that node in the results having a highest unique identifier. The identified master sends an assertion of its role to the other nodes. If no assertion is received, or multiple assertions are received, updated views are again shared and sorted. In one embodiment, the nodes may be within a peer-to-peer network.
