Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for leadership allocation in a distributed computer system. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a leader-election-service process runs within each node of a distributed computer system, together cooperatively providing a distributed-leader-election service. The distributed-leader-election service employs a distributed consensus service to manage distributed state information related to roles and leadership allocation within a distributed computer system. Client processes within each node interface with the leader-election-service process of the node in order to assume leadership of particular roles within the distributed computer system. Leadership-allocation management is thus centralized, within each node. In alternative embodiments, the distributed-leader-election service may be implemented as a collection of library routines that run in the context of client processes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for leadership allocation in a distributed computer system. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a leader-election-service process runs within each node of a distributed computer system, together cooperatively providing a distributed-leader-election service. The distributed-leader-election service employs a distributed consensus service to manage distributed state information related to roles and leadership allocation within a distributed computer system. Client processes within each node interface with the leader-election-service process of the node in order to assume leadership of particular roles within the distributed computer system. Leadership-allocation management is thus centralized, within each node. In alternative embodiments, the distributed-leader-election service may be implemented as a collection of library routines that run in the context of client processes.