File system mounting in a clustered file system

Abstract

A method effectively preventing a requesting node from unfencing and mounting a file system subsequent to a failure in a cluster file system having a plurality of active nodes. The method comprising first upgrading one active node in the cluster to function as a cluster manager node. The cluster manager is in communication with all nodes. The cluster manager is assigned manager responsibilities, in part, comprising first receiving an active status request from the node requesting to mount a file system. The cluster manager first queries the quorum nodes to determine whether each node considers the cluster manager to still have cluster management responsibilities for the file system. If a majority of quorum nodes consider the cluster manager to still have cluster management responsibilities for the file system then the cluster manager responds to the requesting node's active status request. Thereafter, the requesting node proceeds with mounting the file system.