Methods and systems for high-availability data processing include detecting, at a first data processing system, a change in link state between the first data processing system and a second data processing system. A link state between the first data processing system and a third data processing system is changed responsive to the detection in accordance with a first high availability policy stored at the first data processing system. An identifier of the first data processing system is changed in accordance with the first high availability policy to conform to a second high availability policy stored at the first data processing system. The detection, change of the link state, and change of the identifier are repeated in accordance with the second high availability policy.