a computing system group member , signal bearing medium , and method . a configuration of a computing system group member is determined to be able to assume a role of a primary member of the computing system group and , in response thereto , a first status is assigned in the member . all members of the computing system group receive , in order , all messages directed to group members . a second status is assigned in response to determining that the configuration of the member is not able to support performance as a primary member . the member then processes , within the member , all messages that are transmitted to all members of the group when the member is assigned the first status and when the member is assigned the second status . the configuration of the member , while assigned either the first status or the second status , is adjusted based upon contents of the messages .