Providing a witness service

A computer implemented method of receiving state notifications at a client, the method comprising:

• at a client, sending a connection request to a first server, wherein the first server is one of a plurality of servers in a cluster;
• receiving a response from the first server instructing the client to contact a second server with the connection request;
• sending the connection request to the second server, wherein the second server is one of the plurality of servers in the cluster;
• receiving a response from the second server establishing a session for accessing file information stored on the second server;
• sending a request to the second server for witness information;
• and
• receiving a message with the witness information, wherein the witness information identifies at least two additional servers providing a witness service that monitors at least one resource and the witness information further identifies an access order for each of the at least two additional servers.

A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer executable instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method of receiving witness service notifications, the method comprising:

• at a client, sending a connection request to a first file server, wherein the first file server is one of a plurality of file servers in a cluster, further comprising:
• receiving a response from the first file server instructing the client to contact a second file server with the connection request;
• sending the connection request to the second file server, wherein the second file server is a second file server of the plurality of file servers in a cluster;
• receiving a response from the second file server establishing a session for accessing file information stored on the second file server;
• sending a request to the second file server for witness information;
• and
• receiving a message with the witness information, wherein the witness information identifies at least two additional file servers providing a witness service that monitors a resource and further identifies an access order for each of the at least two additional file servers.