Abstract: An improved computer network and methods for determining current configurations of abstract nodes is accomplished by using era values in the configurations of the abstract nodes. Abstract nodes which represent network components within the network have access to databases containing recorded node configurations. Associations between nodes are established when a node configuration is advertised and recorded in another node's database. Database information on node configurations is kept current by comparing the era value of each advertised node against the era value of the same node as recorded in the database. Since era values indicate a relative time reference for which the node configuration is operative, a more current era value indicates a more current node configuration. Abstract nodes are completely independent entities. As a result, a node's configuration may be independently modified by more than one component in the network. Application of the network in a hot-standby system is also disclosed.