Patent ID: 8583958

Claim:
A computer-implemented method for configuring a node as a new leader after an Election Initiator node detects an existing leader failure on a network of nodes connecting a plurality of nodes on at least one computer system, the method comprising: starting a first round, said first round comprising: sending at least one StartElection request from the Election Initiator node to all other nodes on the network; accepting a first valid StartElection token, said accepting being conducted by a plurality of nodes not holding a valid election token prior to the delivery of the first StartElection request from the Election Initiator node; receiving a result of said at least one StartElection request from all live nodes on the network, the receiving conducted by the Election Initiator node; determining whether a quorum of said Election Initiator node and said all other nodes on the network accepted the at least one StartElection request, the determining being conducted by the Election Initiator node; and if the quorum does not exist, delivering an AbortElection request to all other nodes on the network, said delivering conducted by the Election Initiator node; starting a second round upon detection of a quorum, said second round comprising: approving the Election Initiator node as the Approved Election Initiator; selecting the new leader, said selecting being conducted by the Approved Election Initiator; and sending a SetLeader request to said all other nodes on the network.