Method and apparatus for exchanging configuration information between nodes operating in a master-slave configuration

A node within a computer system which operates in a master-slave configuration, the node comprising:

• at least one processor that determines with a multiple instance heartbeat message including multiple configuration identifier fields whether configuration information for an application instance being managed by the node is current, and if not, establishes a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connection with a remote node from which updated configuration information can be obtained, requests the updated configuration information from the remote node, and receives the updated configuration information, the updated configuration information including a configuration identifier and providing data for operation of the application instance;
• and
• at least one interface to at least one external network, which supports establishment of the connection with the remote node.

A node within a computer system which operates in a master-slave configuration, the node comprising:

• means for processing, which determines with a multiple instance heartbeat message including multiple configuration identifier fields whether configuration information for an application instance being managed by the node is current, and if not, establishes a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) connection with a remote node from which updated configuration information can be obtained, requests the updated configuration information from the remote node, and receives the updated configuration information, the updated configuration information including a configuration identifier and providing data for operation of the application instance;
• and
• means for interfacing with at least one external network, which supports establishment of the connection with the remote node.