Data stored within a cluster may be distributed among nodes each storing a portion of the data. The data may be replicated wherein different nodes store copies of the same portion of the data. In response to detecting the failure of a node, the cluster may initiate a timeout period. If the node remains...http://www.google.de/patents/US7206836?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7206836 - System and method for reforming a distributed data system cluster after temporary node failures or restarts
