Abstract: A method of synchronizing access to a data object that is stored within a shared storage area of a data storage system to which a plurality of host processors are connected, the method including the steps of establishing one of the plurality of host processors as a master host processor, wherein the master host processor owns the shared object within the data storage system; sending an access request from a slave host processor to the master host processor to access the shared object within the data storage system, wherein the slave host processor is one of the plurality of host processors other than the master host processor; in response to receiving the access request at the master host processor, checking whether any conflicting locks are still pending from prior access requests from any of the plurality of host processors; if no locks are still pending, granting the access request from the slave host processor; and notifying the slave processor whether its access request was granted.