A same voting time, a same vote counting time, and a same leader node tenure is configured by a host for all nodes. Time configuration information including the same configured voting time, the same vote counting time, and the same leader node tenure, is sent to all the nodes. The nodes are operable to vote during the same voting time, count the number of votes during the same vote counting time, and elect a leader node according to a vote counting result. The nodes are enabled to perform periodic node election according to the same leader node tenure.