Patent ID: 6363416
Filing Date: 2002-03-26
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A computer implemented method for arbitrating among nodes within a communication network having a plurality of client nodes communicatively coupled together, said method comprising the steps of:a) a first client node broadcasting a first message to said nodes in response to an absence of master node-initiated messages during a predetermined time period, said first message for identifying a viable master node in said communication network, said first client node initiating an election process for dynamically electing a new master node from among said plurality of client nodes only when no response is received from an existing master node to said first message, said election process comprising the steps of: a1) said first client node broadcasting a first master negotiate request (MNR) message to said plurality of client nodes; a2) provided that said first client node does not receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, said first client node asserting itself as said new master node; and a3) provided that said first client node does receive a message in response to said MNR message from a second client node, comparing resources of said first client node to resources of said second client node, wherein results of said comparing are used to select said new master node; and b) in response to said step a) wherein said new master node is selected, said new master node periodically broadcasting heartbeat messages to said plurality of client nodes.