Patent ID: 7415553
Filing Date: 2008-08-19
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for new nodes to join a cluster in a serial sequence, comprising: (a) broadcasting by a new node a first type of request to join the cluster to nodes coupled to the first node; (b) determining by the new node if it has to back off the first type of request, wherein the new node has to back off if it has received a second type of request to join the cluster from another node, the another node having broadcasted the first type of request prior to the second type of request; (c) when the new node does not have to back off the first type of request, broadcasting the second type of request to the nodes; and (d) when the new node has to back off the first type of request, repeating steps (a), (b), and one of steps (c) and (d) after waiting for a period of time.