System and method for managing protocol network failures in a cluster system

A cluster system comprising a plurality of cluster members, one of the members being dynamically configured to operate as a cluster master, the cluster system further comprising:

• the plurality of cluster members configured to perform actions, comprising:
• determining an active protocol network selected from at least one of a primary protocol network and a secondary protocol network;
• and
• switching the active protocol network to another protocol network without leaving the cluster system upon detecting a failure in the active protocol network by failing to receive a message from the cluster master;
• and
• the cluster master that is configured to perform actions, comprising:
• maintaining information associated with the active protocol network for the cluster member;
• monitoring the active protocol network associated with the cluster member;
• and
• setting the active protocol network to the other protocol network upon detecting another failure in the active protocol network by failing to receive a message from the cluster member.

A cluster system comprising a plurality of cluster members, one of the members being dynamically configured to operate as a cluster master, the cluster system comprising:

• a means for sending and receiving a protocol message over a network;
• a means for determining an active protocol network selected from at least two protocol networks;
• a means for detecting a failure in the active protocol network based on a failure to receive a message from the cluster master;
• and
• a means for switching the active protocol network to an available protocol network without leaving the cluster system if the failure is detected in the active protocol network.