VMware, Inc.
Method for running a quorum-based system by dynamically managing the quorum

Abstract:

A quorum in a cluster of nodes in a quorum-based computing system can be dynamically updated such that even just a single remaining operational node can be sufficient to support continued operation of the computing system, while other node(s) in the cluster are in a failure state. When the other node(s) in the cluster become enabled again, the quorum can be adjusted back to an original quorum of the cluster. The content of storage devices in such other node(s) can be deleted when the node(s) start up from the failure state, and up-to-date content from the operational node can be synchronized into the newly started other node(s), thereby enabling content to be consistent and updated in all of the operational nodes in the cluster/quorum.