Quorum loss

Each GPFS cluster has a set of quorum nodes explicitly set by the cluster administrator.

These quorum nodes and the selected quorum algorithm determine the availability of file systems owned by the cluster. For more information, see Quorum.

When quorum loss or loss of connectivity occurs, any nodes still running GPFS suspend the use of file systems owned by the cluster experiencing the problem. This may result in GPFS access within the suspended file system receiving ESTALE errors. Nodes continuing to function after suspending file system access starts contacting other nodes in the cluster in an attempt to rejoin or reform the quorum. If they succeed in forming a quorum, access to the file system is restarted.

Normally, quorum loss or loss of connectivity occurs if a node goes down or becomes isolated from its peers by a network failure. The expected response is to address the failing condition.