A system for establishing a primary master node in a computer system includes a plurality of nodes, each node configured with an update interval, a hierarchy of master nodes selected from the plurality of nodes, wherein the master nodes are configured to synchronize the plurality of nodes with a clock value by sending out its clock value when its update interval has expired, wherein each node resets its update interval when it receives the clock value, a primary master node selected from the hierarchy of master nodes based on its update interval, and at least one backup master node selected from the hierarchy of master nodes based on its update interval, the backup master node configured to become the primary master node when the plurality of nodes do not receive the clock value after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.