Patent ID: 7730180

Claim:
In a computer network having a plurality of nodes including a first master node and a second master node, a system for resolving conflict in said network between said first master node and said second master node comprising: means for establishing a standard for comparison between said first master node and said second master node; means for comparing said first master node against said second master node in accordance with said standard to obtain comparison results; wherein said comparing means comprises: means for choosing between said first master node and said second master node if said first master node and said second master node were selected simultaneously; and, means for determining which one of said first master node and said second master node was most recently selected to obtain a most recently selected master node if said first master node and said second master node were not selected simultaneously; and, means for selecting said master node from the group of nodes consisting of said first master node and said second master node based on said comparison results.