Abstract: A method for maintaining a current view of a cluster's membership comprising the steps of maintaining a list of member nodes and updating the list when a modification thereto is noticed by a first node by receiving a first update message from the first node in a second node, thereafter, sending a second update message from the second node to a third node to propagate the modification and sending to the first node a first confirm message from the second or the third node. A node member of a cluster capable of maintaining a first list of neighboring nodes, maintaining a second list of neighboring nodes sharing a current view therewith and ensuring that the first list matches the second by exchanging messages with neighboring nodes, wherein each message comprises topology information. Upon confirmation that both lists match, the node being capable of sending a confirmation message toward neighboring nodes.

Abstract: A node member of a cluster in a network comprising a plurality of nodes and a method related to the capabilities of the node, which is capable of maintaining a stable view of the cluster's membership, maintaining a list of neighboring nodes sharing a same updated view of the cluster's membership and receiving a confirmation message from a second node confirming that a new view received therein should replace the stable view and become a new stable view. The node is further capable of verifying that the new view is up to date in comparison to the same view and, if the new view is not up to date, discarding the confirmation message.