Patent attributes
A cluster management system sends a first message over a communications network to detect a server node which runs a base operating system image configured to communicate with the cluster management system to enable discovery and network configuration of the server node. In response to receiving the first message, the base operating system image sends a second message to the cluster management system, wherein the second message includes node identifying information associated with the server node. The cluster management system and the base operating system image communicate to configure network settings of the server node based on server cluster specifications and the node identifying information. Subsequent to completion of the network configuration, the cluster management system automatically provisions the server node for inclusion in a server cluster by re-imaging the server node with a server operating system to enable operation of the server node in the server cluster.