> ... : 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}
> ... : n4@group-ABB3109A44C2: receive requestVote(PRE_VOTE, n2,
group-ABB3109A44C2, 1, (t:1, i:16))
> ... : n4@group-ABB3109A44C2-LISTENER: reject PRE_VOTE from n2: this
server is a listener, who is a non-voting member

According to the above log, you actually removed n3.  Somehow n4 rejected
the voteRequest from n2 and said that it was a non-voting member.

It seems like a bug.  Could you share all the commands you have run?  I
could try reproducing it.

Thanks.
Tsz-Wo



On Fri, Jan 16, 2026 at 11:47 AM Tsz Wo Sze <[email protected]> wrote:

> 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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