Hi Snehasish,

Thanks for providing the details!

> 3. After killing n3 and promoting n4 as follower
> ...
> 4. After killing n1 (leader) instance

As Xinyu mentioned, you probably have changed the voting member size from 3
to 4.  So, killing two servers, n3 and n1, makes it impossible to elect a
new leader since a majority requires 3 voting members.

I guess you were setConf from [follower: n1,n2,n3; listener: n4]
- to [follower: n1,n2,n3,n4]

In order to keep voting member size 3, I suggest you to setConf
- to [follower: n1,n2,n4; Listener n3]
(or removing n3, i.e. setConf to [follower: n1,n2, n4])

Hope it helps.
Tsz-Wo


On Thu, Jan 15, 2026 at 9:44 PM Xinyu Tan <[email protected]> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> Okay, I understand your question!
>
> Congratulations, you may have found a potential bug.
>
> Next, you can further investigate Ratis's leader election mechanism and
> see why the other two followers refused to vote!
>
> You maybe see some code according to the logs such as[1][2].
>
> [1]
> https://github.com/apache/ratis/blob/master/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/RaftServerImpl.java#L1428
> [2]
> https://github.com/apache/ratis/blob/master/ratis-server/src/main/java/org/apache/ratis/server/impl/LeaderElection.java#L442-L481
>
> Best
> --------------
> Xinyu Tan
>
> On 2026/01/16 05:16:04 Snehasish Roy wrote:
> > Hello,
> >
> > Thank you for your prompt response.
> >
> > > You only killed n3 instead of removing it from the cluster, and n1 and
> n2
> > formed the quorum.
> > I did remove n3 from the cluster before promoting n4 to the follower.
> This
> > was successful because n1 and n2 were still online.
> >
> > This is evident from the below info which shows n1, n2 and n4 are in the
> > cluster.
> >
> > ```
> > ❯ ./ratis sh group info -peers 0.0.0.0:9000,0.0.0.0:9001,0.0.0.0:9002,
> > 0.0.0.0:9003 -groupid 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > [main] WARN org.apache.ratis.metrics.MetricRegistriesLoader - Found
> > multiple MetricRegistries: [class
> > org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl, class
> > org.apache.ratis.metrics.dropwizard3.Dm3MetricRegistriesImpl]. Using the
> > first: class org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl
> > group id: 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > leader info: n1(0.0.0.0:9000)
> >
> > [server {
> >   id: "n1"
> >   address: "0.0.0.0:9000"
> >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > }
> > commitIndex: 16
> > , server {
> >   id: "n2"
> >   address: "0.0.0.0:9001"
> >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > }
> > commitIndex: 16
> > , server {
> >   id: "n4"
> >   address: "0.0.0.0:9003"
> >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > }
> > commitIndex: 16
> > ]
> > applied {
> >   term: 1
> >   index: 16
> > }
> > committed {
> >   term: 1
> >   index: 16
> > }
> > lastEntry {
> >   term: 1
> >   index: 16
> > }
> > ```
> >
> > After killing n1, the logs from n2 also list the configuration which
> > clearly shows the peers as n1, n2 and n4.
> > Logs also demonstrates that n2 is asking for votes from n1 and n4 - not
> > from n3, indicating the cluster is only a 3 node cluster.
> >
> > ```
> > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,347] [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> ]
> > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176 PRE_VOTE
> round 0:
> > submit vote requests at term 1 for conf: {index: 15, cur=peers:[n1|
> > 0.0.0.0:9000, n2|0.0.0.0:9001, n4|0.0.0.0:9003]|listeners:[], old=null}
> > ```
> >
> > Please let me know if I misunderstood something.
> >
> >
> >
> > Regards,
> > Snehasish
> >
> > On Fri, 16 Jan 2026 at 08:49, Xinyu Tan <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> > > Hi,
> > >
> > > In your scenario, there are two phenomena:
> > >
> > > Phenomenon 1
> > > You only killed n3 instead of removing it from the cluster, and n1 and
> n2
> > > formed the quorum. As a result, compared to the last test, you were
> able to
> > > successfully promote n4 from listener to follower, which is as expected
> > > because, during the member change, the original quorum of n1, n2, and
> n3,
> > > i.e., n1 and n2, were still online.
> > >
> > > Phenomenon 2
> > > It is important to note that once you promote n4 to a follower, the
> group
> > > members become n1, n2, n3, and n4. The quorum is now 3 instead of 2,
> and
> > > since n3 has already been killed, killing n1 at this point would cause
> the
> > > consensus group to fail to form a quorum of 3 members, making it
> impossible
> > > to elect a new leader. If you wish to perform this action, you can try
> > > removing the killed n3 from the group first. This way, the consensus
> group
> > > will only consist of n1, n2, and n4, and the quorum will be 2. At this
> > > point, killing n1 should allow the election of a new leader, as the
> quorum
> > > of 2 members is still online.
> > >
> > > Your test scenario involves the most complex part of the consensus
> > > algorithm—member changes. I think you should take a closer look at the
> PhD
> > > thesis of the Raft authors[1], which is more detailed than the ATC2014
> > > conference version. I believe that after reading it, you will have a
> deeper
> > > understanding of the Raft algorithm!
> > >
> > > Looking forward to your next test.
> > >
> > > [1] https://github.com/ongardie/dissertation/blob/master/stanford.pdf
> > >
> > > Best
> > > -----------------
> > > Xinyu Tan
> > >
> > > On 2026/01/15 15:20:24 Snehasish Roy wrote:
> > > > Hello,
> > > >
> > > > Based on your inputs, I was able to reproduce the issue consistently.
> > > >
> > > > 1. After starting n1, n2 and n3 nodes
> > > >
> > > > ```
> > > > ./ratis sh group info -peers 0.0.0.0:9000,0.0.0.0:9001,0.0.0.0:9002,
> > > > 0.0.0.0:9003 -groupid 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > [main] WARN org.apache.ratis.metrics.MetricRegistriesLoader - Found
> > > > multiple MetricRegistries: [class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl, class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.dropwizard3.Dm3MetricRegistriesImpl]. Using
> the
> > > > first: class org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl
> > > > group id: 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > leader info: n1(0.0.0.0:9000)
> > > >
> > > > [server {
> > > >   id: "n1"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9000"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 8
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n2"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9001"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 8
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n3"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9002"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 8
> > > > ]
> > > > applied {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 8
> > > > }
> > > > committed {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 8
> > > > }
> > > > lastEntry {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 8
> > > > }
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > > 2. After adding n4 as listener
> > > >
> > > > ```
> > > > ./ratis sh group info -peers 0.0.0.0:9000,0.0.0.0:9001,0.0.0.0:9002,
> > > > 0.0.0.0:9003 -groupid 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > [main] WARN org.apache.ratis.metrics.MetricRegistriesLoader - Found
> > > > multiple MetricRegistries: [class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl, class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.dropwizard3.Dm3MetricRegistriesImpl]. Using
> the
> > > > first: class org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl
> > > > group id: 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > leader info: n1(0.0.0.0:9000)
> > > >
> > > > [server {
> > > >   id: "n1"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9000"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 12
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n2"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9001"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 12
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n3"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9002"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 12
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n4"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9003"
> > > >   startupRole: LISTENER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 12
> > > > ]
> > > > applied {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 12
> > > > }
> > > > committed {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 12
> > > > }
> > > > lastEntry {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 12
> > > > }
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > > 3. After killing n3 and promoting n4 as follower
> > > >
> > > > ```
> > > > ❯ ./ratis sh group info -peers 0.0.0.0:9000,0.0.0.0:9001,
> 0.0.0.0:9002,
> > > > 0.0.0.0:9003 -groupid 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > [main] WARN org.apache.ratis.metrics.MetricRegistriesLoader - Found
> > > > multiple MetricRegistries: [class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl, class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.dropwizard3.Dm3MetricRegistriesImpl]. Using
> the
> > > > first: class org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl
> > > > group id: 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > leader info: n1(0.0.0.0:9000)
> > > >
> > > > [server {
> > > >   id: "n1"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9000"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n2"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9001"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n4"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9003"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > ]
> > > > applied {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > committed {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > lastEntry {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > > 4. After killing n1 (leader) instance
> > > >
> > > > ```
> > > > ❯ ./ratis sh group info -peers 0.0.0.0:9000,0.0.0.0:9001,
> 0.0.0.0:9002,
> > > > 0.0.0.0:9003 -groupid 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > [main] WARN org.apache.ratis.metrics.MetricRegistriesLoader - Found
> > > > multiple MetricRegistries: [class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl, class
> > > > org.apache.ratis.metrics.dropwizard3.Dm3MetricRegistriesImpl]. Using
> the
> > > > first: class org.apache.ratis.metrics.impl.MetricRegistriesImpl
> > > > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> UNAVAILABLE:
> > > io
> > > > exception
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.toStatusRuntimeException(ClientCalls.java:368)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.getUnchecked(ClientCalls.java:349)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.blockingUnaryCall(ClientCalls.java:174)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.proto.grpc.AdminProtocolServiceGrpc$AdminProtocolServiceBlockingStub.groupList(AdminProtocolServiceGrpc.java:573)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.grpc.client.GrpcClientProtocolClient.groupList(GrpcClientProtocolClient.java:167)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.grpc.client.GrpcClientRpc.sendRequest(GrpcClientRpc.java:106)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.client.impl.BlockingImpl.sendRequest(BlockingImpl.java:147)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.client.impl.BlockingImpl.sendRequestWithRetry(BlockingImpl.java:109)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.client.impl.GroupManagementImpl.list(GroupManagementImpl.java:69)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.lambda$getGroupId$1(CliUtils.java:118)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.applyFunctionReturnFirstNonNull(CliUtils.java:72)
> > > > at org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.getGroupId(CliUtils.java:117)
> > > > at
> > > > org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh
> > > .command.AbstractRatisCommand.run(AbstractRatisCommand.java:70)
> > > > at
> > > > org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh
> > > .group.GroupInfoCommand.run(GroupInfoCommand.java:47)
> > > > at
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.AbstractShell.run(AbstractShell.java:104)
> > > > at org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh.RatisShell.main(RatisShell.java:62)
> > > > Caused by:
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException:
> > > > Connection refused: /0.0.0.0:9000
> > > > Caused by: java.net.ConnectException: Connection refused
> > > > at java.base/sun.nio.ch.Net.pollConnect(Native Method)
> > > > at java.base/sun.nio.ch.Net.pollConnectNow(Net.java:672)
> > > > at
> > > > java.base/sun.nio.ch
> > > .SocketChannelImpl.finishConnect(SocketChannelImpl.java:946)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.socket.nio.NioSocketChannel.doFinishConnect(NioSocketChannel.java:336)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.AbstractNioChannel$AbstractNioUnsafe.finishConnect(AbstractNioChannel.java:339)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKey(NioEventLoop.java:784)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKeysOptimized(NioEventLoop.java:732)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKeys(NioEventLoop.java:658)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.run(NioEventLoop.java:562)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.concurrent.SingleThreadEventExecutor$4.run(SingleThreadEventExecutor.java:998)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.internal.ThreadExecutorMap$2.run(ThreadExecutorMap.java:74)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.concurrent.FastThreadLocalRunnable.run(FastThreadLocalRunnable.java:30)
> > > > at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:833)
> > > > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> UNAVAILABLE:
> > > io
> > > > exception
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.toStatusRuntimeException(ClientCalls.java:368)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.getUnchecked(ClientCalls.java:349)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.stub.ClientCalls.blockingUnaryCall(ClientCalls.java:174)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.proto.grpc.AdminProtocolServiceGrpc$AdminProtocolServiceBlockingStub.groupInfo(AdminProtocolServiceGrpc.java:580)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.grpc.client.GrpcClientProtocolClient.groupInfo(GrpcClientProtocolClient.java:173)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.grpc.client.GrpcClientRpc.sendRequest(GrpcClientRpc.java:110)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.client.impl.BlockingImpl.sendRequest(BlockingImpl.java:147)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.client.impl.BlockingImpl.sendRequestWithRetry(BlockingImpl.java:109)
> > > > at org.apache.ratis.client.impl.GroupManagementImpl.info
> > > > (GroupManagementImpl.java:79)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.lambda$getGroupInfo$2(CliUtils.java:146)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.applyFunctionReturnFirstNonNull(CliUtils.java:72)
> > > > at
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.CliUtils.getGroupInfo(CliUtils.java:145)
> > > > at
> > > > org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh
> > > .command.AbstractRatisCommand.run(AbstractRatisCommand.java:71)
> > > > at
> > > > org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh
> > > .group.GroupInfoCommand.run(GroupInfoCommand.java:47)
> > > > at
> org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.AbstractShell.run(AbstractShell.java:104)
> > > > at org.apache.ratis.shell.cli.sh.RatisShell.main(RatisShell.java:62)
> > > > Caused by:
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.AbstractChannel$AnnotatedConnectException:
> > > > Connection refused: /0.0.0.0:9000
> > > > Caused by: java.net.ConnectException: Connection refused
> > > > at java.base/sun.nio.ch.Net.pollConnect(Native Method)
> > > > at java.base/sun.nio.ch.Net.pollConnectNow(Net.java:672)
> > > > at
> > > > java.base/sun.nio.ch
> > > .SocketChannelImpl.finishConnect(SocketChannelImpl.java:946)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.socket.nio.NioSocketChannel.doFinishConnect(NioSocketChannel.java:336)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.AbstractNioChannel$AbstractNioUnsafe.finishConnect(AbstractNioChannel.java:339)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKey(NioEventLoop.java:784)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKeysOptimized(NioEventLoop.java:732)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.processSelectedKeys(NioEventLoop.java:658)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.channel.nio.NioEventLoop.run(NioEventLoop.java:562)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.concurrent.SingleThreadEventExecutor$4.run(SingleThreadEventExecutor.java:998)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.internal.ThreadExecutorMap$2.run(ThreadExecutorMap.java:74)
> > > > at
> > > >
> > >
> org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.netty.util.concurrent.FastThreadLocalRunnable.run(FastThreadLocalRunnable.java:30)
> > > > at java.base/java.lang.Thread.run(Thread.java:833)
> > > > group id: 02511d47-d67c-49a3-9011-abb3109a44c2
> > > > leader info: ()
> > > >
> > > > [server {
> > > >   id: "n2"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9001"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n1"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9000"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > , server {
> > > >   id: "n4"
> > > >   address: "0.0.0.0:9003"
> > > >   startupRole: FOLLOWER
> > > > }
> > > > commitIndex: 16
> > > > ]
> > > > applied {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > committed {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > lastEntry {
> > > >   term: 1
> > > >   index: 16
> > > > }
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > > Logs from n4
> > > > ```
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:06,696] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> > > > [RaftServer$Division]: n4@group-ABB3109A44C2 replies to PRE_VOTE
> vote
> > > > request: n2<-n4#0:FAIL-t1-last:(t:1, i:16). Peer's state:
> > > > n4@group-ABB3109A44C2:t1, leader=n1, voted=null,
> > > > raftlog=Memoized:n4@group-ABB3109A44C2-SegmentedRaftLog
> > > :OPENED:c16:last(t:1,
> > > > i:16), conf=conf: {index: 15, cur=peers:[n1|0.0.0.0:9000, n2|
> > > 0.0.0.0:9001,
> > > > n4|0.0.0.0:9003]|listeners:[], old=null}
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:06,897] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> > > > [RaftServer$Division]: n4@group-ABB3109A44C2: receive
> > > requestVote(PRE_VOTE,
> > > > n2, group-ABB3109A44C2, 1, (t:1, i:16))
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:06,897] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> [VoteContext]:
> > > > n4@group-ABB3109A44C2-LISTENER: reject PRE_VOTE from n2: this
> server is
> > > a
> > > > listener, who is a non-voting member
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Logs from n2
> > > >
> > > > ```
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,347]
> [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> > > ]
> > > > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176 PRE_VOTE
> > > round 0:
> > > > submit vote requests at term 1 for conf: {index: 15, cur=peers:[n1|
> > > > 0.0.0.0:9000, n2|0.0.0.0:9001, n4|0.0.0.0:9003]|listeners:[],
> old=null}
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,348]
> [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> > > ]
> > > > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176 got
> exception
> > > > when requesting votes: java.util.concurrent.ExecutionException:
> > > > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> UNAVAILABLE:
> > > io
> > > > exception
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,352]
> [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> > > ]
> > > > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176: PRE_VOTE
> > > > REJECTED received 1 response(s) and 1 exception(s):
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,352]
> [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> > > ]
> > > > [LeaderElection]:   Response 0: n2<-n4#0:FAIL-t1-last:(t:1, i:16)
> > > > INFO  [2026-01-15 17:48:03,352]
> [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection176
> > > ]
> > > > [LeaderElection]:   Exception 1:
> java.util.concurrent.ExecutionException:
> > > > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> UNAVAILABLE:
> > > io
> > > > exception
> > > > ```
> > > >
> > > > This indicates that the cluster is in an unstable state.
> > > > I am willing to contribute, could you guide me a bit on this?
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Regards,
> > > > Snehasish
> > > >
> > > > On Wed, 14 Jan 2026 at 08:44, Snehasish Roy <
> [email protected]>
> > > > wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Hello,
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for your inputs. I will check and update this thread.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Regards,
> > > > > Snehasish
> > > > >
> > > > > On Wed, 7 Jan, 2026, 8:52 am Xinyu Tan, <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >> Hi,Snehasish
> > > > >>
> > > > >> In your scenario, if you kill n3, which is acting as a follower,
> the
> > > > >> cluster will have 3 non-listener and 1 listener, with one follower
> > > already
> > > > >> offline. At this point, the majority situation becomes quite risky
> > > because
> > > > >> if any non-listener goes down from here, the Raft group will not
> be
> > > able to
> > > > >> form a quorum and elect a new leader.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Although you have promoted n4 to a listener and removed n3, before
> > > this
> > > > >> request completes, the majority of the Raft group is still 2.
> > > Therefore,
> > > > >> after you kill n1, a new leader cannot be elected. In my
> > > understanding,
> > > > >> this phenomenon is not a bug and aligns with the expected
> behavior of
> > > the
> > > > >> algorithm.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> If you want to test how to safely promote a listener to a
> follower,
> > > make
> > > > >> sure that before the promotion request completes (you can confirm
> > > this with
> > > > >> shell commands as suggested by sze), the current leader and
> follower
> > > > >> members maintain the majority online. Otherwise, the promotion
> action
> > > will
> > > > >> not be successful, and this is not a problem with the
> implementation
> > > but a
> > > > >> boundary of the Raft algorithm.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Feel free to do more testing on this feature of Ratis. If you
> > > encounter
> > > > >> the following issues, it would indicate that there is indeed a
> > > problem with
> > > > >> the implementation, and we welcome discussions and contributions:
> > > > >> * You find that even with the majority of leader and follower
> members
> > > > >> online, you still cannot successfully promote a listener to a
> > > follower.
> > > > >> * In your case, because the majority was not maintained, the
> member
> > > > >> change failed. But after you restart n1 or n3 and re-establish the
> > > > >> majority, the Raft group still cannot elect a leader or elects a
> > > leader but
> > > > >> fails to perform member changes.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> We look forward to your testing.
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Best
> > > > >> --------------
> > > > >> Xinyu Tan
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> On 2025/12/29 10:53:40 Snehasish Roy wrote:
> > > > >> > Hello everyone,
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Happy Holidays. This is my first email to this community so
> kindly
> > > > >> excuse
> > > > >> > me for any mistakes.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > I initially started a 3 node Ratis Cluster and then added a
> > > listener in
> > > > >> the
> > > > >> > Cluster using the setConfiguration(List.of(n1,n2,n3),
> List.of(n4))
> > > > >> based on
> > > > >> > the following documentation
> > > > >> >
> > > https://jojochuang.github.io/ratis-site/docs/developer-guide/listeners
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 15:57:01,887] [n1-server-thread1]
> > > > >> [RaftServer$Division]:
> > > > >> > n1@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderStateImpl: startSetConfiguration
> > > > >> >
> SetConfigurationRequest:client-044D31187FB4->n1@group-ABB3109A44C2,
> > > > >> cid=3,
> > > > >> > seq=null, RW, null, SET_UNCONDITIONALLY, servers:[n1|
> 0.0.0.0:9000,
> > > n2|
> > > > >> > 0.0.0.0:9001, n3|0.0.0.0:9002], listeners:[n4|0.0.0.0:9003]
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Then I killed one of the Ratis follower node (n3) followed by
> > > promoting
> > > > >> the
> > > > >> > listener to the follower using
> setConfiguration(List.of(n1,n2,n4))
> > > > >> command
> > > > >> > to maintain the cluster size of 3.
> > > > >> > Please note that n3 has been removed from the list of followers
> and
> > > > >> there
> > > > >> > are no more listeners in the cluster and there were no failures
> > > observed
> > > > >> > while issuing the command.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:02:54,227] [n1-server-thread2]
> > > > >> [RaftServer$Division]:
> > > > >> > n1@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderStateImpl: startSetConfiguration
> > > > >> >
> SetConfigurationRequest:client-2438CA24E2F3->n1@group-ABB3109A44C2,
> > > > >> cid=4,
> > > > >> > seq=null, RW, null, SET_UNCONDITIONALLY, servers:[n1|
> 0.0.0.0:9000,
> > > n2|
> > > > >> > 0.0.0.0:9001, n4|0.0.0.0:9003], listeners:[]
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Then I killed the leader instance n1. Post which n2 attempted to
> > > become
> > > > >> a
> > > > >> > leader and starts asking for votes from n1 and n4. There is no
> > > response
> > > > >> > from n1 as it's not alive and n4 is rejecting the pre_vote
> request
> > > from
> > > > >> n2
> > > > >> > because it still thinks it's a listener.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Logs from n2
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:04:10,051]
> > > [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> > > > >> ]
> > > > >> > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> PRE_VOTE
> > > > >> round 0:
> > > > >> > submit vote requests at term 1 for conf: {index: 15,
> cur=peers:[n1|
> > > > >> > 0.0.0.0:9000, n2|0.0.0.0:9001, n4|0.0.0.0:9003]|listeners:[],
> > > old=null}
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:04:10,052]
> > > [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> > > > >> ]
> > > > >> > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30 got
> > > exception
> > > > >> when
> > > > >> > requesting votes: java.util.concurrent.ExecutionException:
> > > > >> > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> > > > >> UNAVAILABLE: io
> > > > >> > exception
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:04:10,054]
> > > [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> > > > >> ]
> > > > >> > [LeaderElection]: n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30:
> PRE_VOTE
> > > > >> REJECTED
> > > > >> > received 1 response(s) and 1 exception(s):
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:04:10,054]
> > > [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> > > > >> ]
> > > > >> > [LeaderElection]:   Response 0: n2<-n4#0:FAIL-t1-last:(t:1,
> i:16)
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:04:10,054]
> > > [n2@group-ABB3109A44C2-LeaderElection30
> > > > >> ]
> > > > >> > [LeaderElection]:   Exception 1:
> > > > >> java.util.concurrent.ExecutionException:
> > > > >> > org.apache.ratis.thirdparty.io.grpc.StatusRuntimeException:
> > > > >> UNAVAILABLE: io
> > > > >> > exception
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Due to lack of leader, the cluster is no more stable.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Logs from n4
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:05:03,405] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> > > > >> > [RaftServer$Division]: n4@group-ABB3109A44C2: receive
> > > > >> requestVote(PRE_VOTE,
> > > > >> > n2, group-ABB3109A44C2, 1, (t:1, i:16))
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:05:03,405] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> > > [VoteContext]:
> > > > >> > n4@group-ABB3109A44C2-LISTENER: reject PRE_VOTE from n2: this
> > > server
> > > > >> is a
> > > > >> > listener, who is a non-voting member
> > > > >> > INFO  [2025-12-29 16:05:03,405] [grpc-default-executor-2]
> > > > >> > [RaftServer$Division]: n4@group-ABB3109A44C2 replies to
> PRE_VOTE
> > > vote
> > > > >> > request: n2<-n4#0:FAIL-t1-last:(t:1, i:16). Peer's state:
> > > > >> > n4@group-ABB3109A44C2:t1, leader=n1, voted=null,
> > > > >> > raftlog=Memoized:n4@group-ABB3109A44C2-SegmentedRaftLog
> > > > >> :OPENED:c16:last(t:1,
> > > > >> > i:16), conf=conf: {index: 15, cur=peers:[n1|0.0.0.0:9000, n2|
> > > > >> 0.0.0.0:9001,
> > > > >> > n4|0.0.0.0:9003]|listeners:[], old=null}
> > > > >> > ```
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > So my question is how to correctly promote a listener to a
> follower?
> > > > >> Did I
> > > > >> > miss some step? Or is there a bug in the code? If it's the
> latter, I
> > > > >> would
> > > > >> > be happy to contribute. Please let me know if you need any more
> > > > >> debugging
> > > > >> > information.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Thank you again for looking into this issue.
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> >
> > > > >> > Regards,
> > > > >> > Snehasish
> > > > >> >
> > > > >>
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

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