摘要 |
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates establishing a quorum for a cluster of computers that are geographically distributed. The system operates by detecting a change in membership of the cluster. Upon detecting the change, the system forms a potential new cluster by attempting to communicate with all other computers within the cluster. The system accumulates votes for each computer successfully contacted. The system also attempts to gain control of a quorum server located at a site separate from all computers within the cluster. If successful at gaining control, the system accumulates the quorum server's votes as well. If the total of accumulated votes is a majority of the available votes, the system forms a new cluster from the potential new cluster. |