Method and apparatus for configuring nodes as masters or slaves

A node (101, FIG. 1), within a networked computer system (100), is capable of supporting communications with other nodes relating to operating multiple application instances in a master-slave configuration. A node can be designated as a permanent master for an application instance, meaning that the node will enter the master state (218, FIG. 2) for the application instance whether or not another master exists on the network. A node also can be designated as a preferred slave. A preferred slave initializes (306, FIG. 3) its election timer that is below the election timers selected by other slaves, which causes the preferred slave to call an election before any other slave, and increases the likelihood that the preferred slave will become master if a failover occurs. In addition, a master can specifically resign (510, FIG. 5) to a preferred slave.