Method and apparatus for accessing shared resources with asymmetric safety in a multiprocessing system

A multiprocessing system, comprising:

• multiple active nodes;
• a passive node;
• and
• a communications network interconnecting the passive node and one or more of the active nodes;
• wherein the active nodes are programmed to perform a method for determining access among the active nodes to the passive node,
• a first node of the active nodes transmitting a predetermined invocation message to all other active nodes;
• each of the active nodes receiving the invocation message, in response thereto, conducting a predetermined membership protocol including one or more intervals in which each active node initiates an exchange of membership views with the active nodes, each active node initiates acquisition of a membership view from the passive node, and each active node submits a subscription to the passive node, where each active node repeatedly updating its membership view between intervals and performing a new interval until the node's membership view satisfies a predetermined protocol-termination condition guaranteeing asymmetric safety among the active nodes.