diff --git a/weed/command/filer.go b/weed/command/filer.go
index fd9419772..1bd1493bd 100644
--- a/weed/command/filer.go
+++ b/weed/command/filer.go
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import (
 	"github.com/soheilhy/cmux"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc/reflection"
+	"strings"
 )
 
 var (
@@ -20,7 +21,7 @@ var (
 )
 
 type FilerOptions struct {
-	master                  *string
+	masters                 *string
 	ip                      *string
 	port                    *int
 	publicPort              *int
@@ -34,7 +35,7 @@ type FilerOptions struct {
 
 func init() {
 	cmdFiler.Run = runFiler // break init cycle
-	f.master = cmdFiler.Flag.String("master", "localhost:9333", "master server location")
+	f.masters = cmdFiler.Flag.String("master", "localhost:9333", "comma-separated master servers")
 	f.collection = cmdFiler.Flag.String("collection", "", "all data will be stored in this collection")
 	f.ip = cmdFiler.Flag.String("ip", "", "filer server http listen ip address")
 	f.port = cmdFiler.Flag.Int("port", 8888, "filer server http listen port")
@@ -47,8 +48,8 @@ func init() {
 }
 
 var cmdFiler = &Command{
-	UsageLine: "filer -port=8888 -master=<ip:port>",
-	Short:     "start a file server that points to a master server",
+	UsageLine: "filer -port=8888 -master=<ip:port>[,<ip:port>]*",
+	Short:     "start a file server that points to a master server, or a list of master servers",
 	Long: `start a file server which accepts REST operation for any files.
 
 	//create or overwrite the file, the directories /path/to will be automatically created
@@ -83,8 +84,10 @@ func (fo *FilerOptions) start() {
 		publicVolumeMux = http.NewServeMux()
 	}
 
+	masters := *f.masters
+
 	fs, nfs_err := weed_server.NewFilerServer(defaultMux, publicVolumeMux,
-		*fo.ip, *fo.port, *fo.master, *fo.collection,
+		*fo.ip, *fo.port, strings.Split(masters, ","), *fo.collection,
 		*fo.defaultReplicaPlacement, *fo.redirectOnRead, *fo.disableDirListing,
 		*fo.maxMB,
 		*fo.secretKey,
diff --git a/weed/command/server.go b/weed/command/server.go
index 503b2c61d..606845199 100644
--- a/weed/command/server.go
+++ b/weed/command/server.go
@@ -83,7 +83,6 @@ var (
 
 func init() {
 	serverOptions.cpuprofile = cmdServer.Flag.String("cpuprofile", "", "cpu profile output file")
-	filerOptions.master = cmdServer.Flag.String("filer.master", "", "default to current master server")
 	filerOptions.collection = cmdServer.Flag.String("filer.collection", "", "all data will be stored in this collection")
 	filerOptions.port = cmdServer.Flag.Int("filer.port", 8888, "filer server http listen port")
 	filerOptions.publicPort = cmdServer.Flag.Int("filer.port.public", 0, "filer server public http listen port")
@@ -108,7 +107,7 @@ func runServer(cmd *Command, args []string) bool {
 		*isStartingFiler = true
 	}
 
-	*filerOptions.master = *serverIp + ":" + strconv.Itoa(*masterPort)
+	master := *serverIp + ":" + strconv.Itoa(*masterPort)
 	filerOptions.ip = serverIp
 
 	if *filerOptions.defaultReplicaPlacement == "" {
@@ -251,7 +250,7 @@ func runServer(cmd *Command, args []string) bool {
 		*serverIp, *volumePort, *volumeServerPublicUrl,
 		folders, maxCounts,
 		volumeNeedleMapKind,
-		*serverIp+":"+strconv.Itoa(*masterPort), *volumePulse, *serverDataCenter, *serverRack,
+		[]string{master}, *volumePulse, *serverDataCenter, *serverRack,
 		serverWhiteList, *volumeFixJpgOrientation, *volumeReadRedirect,
 	)
 
diff --git a/weed/command/volume.go b/weed/command/volume.go
index a54ffd1fd..407c39eb1 100644
--- a/weed/command/volume.go
+++ b/weed/command/volume.go
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ type VolumeServerOptions struct {
 	ip                    *string
 	publicUrl             *string
 	bindIp                *string
-	master                *string
+	masters               *string
 	pulseSeconds          *int
 	idleConnectionTimeout *int
 	maxCpu                *int
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ func init() {
 	v.ip = cmdVolume.Flag.String("ip", "", "ip or server name")
 	v.publicUrl = cmdVolume.Flag.String("publicUrl", "", "Publicly accessible address")
 	v.bindIp = cmdVolume.Flag.String("ip.bind", "0.0.0.0", "ip address to bind to")
-	v.master = cmdVolume.Flag.String("mserver", "localhost:9333", "master server location")
+	v.masters = cmdVolume.Flag.String("mserver", "localhost:9333", "comma-separated master servers")
 	v.pulseSeconds = cmdVolume.Flag.Int("pulseSeconds", 5, "number of seconds between heartbeats, must be smaller than or equal to the master's setting")
 	v.idleConnectionTimeout = cmdVolume.Flag.Int("idleTimeout", 30, "connection idle seconds")
 	v.maxCpu = cmdVolume.Flag.Int("maxCpu", 0, "maximum number of CPUs. 0 means all available CPUs")
@@ -132,11 +132,14 @@ func runVolume(cmd *Command, args []string) bool {
 	case "btree":
 		volumeNeedleMapKind = storage.NeedleMapBtree
 	}
+
+	masters := *v.masters
+
 	volumeServer := weed_server.NewVolumeServer(volumeMux, publicVolumeMux,
 		*v.ip, *v.port, *v.publicUrl,
 		v.folders, v.folderMaxLimits,
 		volumeNeedleMapKind,
-		*v.master, *v.pulseSeconds, *v.dataCenter, *v.rack,
+		strings.Split(masters, ","), *v.pulseSeconds, *v.dataCenter, *v.rack,
 		v.whiteList,
 		*v.fixJpgOrientation, *v.readRedirect,
 	)
diff --git a/weed/filer2/filer.go b/weed/filer2/filer.go
index 0b4113c38..e886b7d74 100644
--- a/weed/filer2/filer.go
+++ b/weed/filer2/filer.go
@@ -13,14 +13,16 @@ import (
 )
 
 type Filer struct {
-	master         string
+	masters        []string
 	store          FilerStore
 	directoryCache *ccache.Cache
+
+	currentMaster string
 }
 
-func NewFiler(master string) *Filer {
+func NewFiler(masters []string) *Filer {
 	return &Filer{
-		master:         master,
+		masters:        masters,
 		directoryCache: ccache.New(ccache.Configure().MaxSize(1000).ItemsToPrune(100)),
 	}
 }
@@ -175,14 +177,12 @@ func (f *Filer) cacheSetDirectory(dirpath string, dirEntry *Entry, level int) {
 }
 
 func (f *Filer) deleteChunks(entry *Entry) {
-	if f.master == "" {
-		return
-	}
+
 	if entry == nil {
 		return
 	}
 	for _, chunk := range entry.Chunks {
-		if err := operation.DeleteFile(f.master, chunk.FileId, ""); err != nil {
+		if err := operation.DeleteFile(f.GetMaster(), chunk.FileId, ""); err != nil {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("deleting file %s: %v", chunk.FileId, err)
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/weed/filer2/filer_master.go b/weed/filer2/filer_master.go
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f69f68a85
--- /dev/null
+++ b/weed/filer2/filer_master.go
@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+package filer2
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"context"
+	"time"
+
+	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/pb/master_pb"
+	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
+	"google.golang.org/grpc"
+)
+
+func (fs *Filer) GetMaster() string {
+	return fs.currentMaster
+}
+
+func (fs *Filer) KeepConnectedToMaster() {
+	glog.V(0).Infof("Filer bootstraps with masters %v", fs.masters)
+	for _, master := range fs.masters {
+		glog.V(0).Infof("Connecting to %v", master)
+		withMasterClient(master, func(client master_pb.SeaweedClient) error {
+			stream, err := client.KeepConnected(context.Background())
+			if err != nil {
+				glog.V(0).Infof("failed to keep connected to %s: %v", master, err)
+				return err
+			}
+
+			glog.V(0).Infof("Connected to %v", master)
+			fs.currentMaster = master
+
+			for {
+				time.Sleep(time.Duration(float32(10*1e3)*0.25) * time.Millisecond)
+
+				if err = stream.Send(&master_pb.Empty{}); err != nil {
+					glog.V(0).Infof("failed to send to %s: %v", master, err)
+					return err
+				}
+
+				if _, err = stream.Recv(); err != nil {
+					glog.V(0).Infof("failed to receive from %s: %v", master, err)
+					return err
+				}
+			}
+		})
+		fs.currentMaster = ""
+	}
+}
+
+func withMasterClient(master string, fn func(client master_pb.SeaweedClient) error) error {
+
+	grpcConnection, err := grpc.Dial(master, grpc.WithInsecure())
+	if err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("fail to dial %s: %v", master, err)
+	}
+	defer grpcConnection.Close()
+
+	client := master_pb.NewSeaweedClient(grpcConnection)
+
+	return fn(client)
+}
diff --git a/weed/filer2/leveldb/leveldb_store_test.go b/weed/filer2/leveldb/leveldb_store_test.go
index 896dabdc3..ad72a2e60 100644
--- a/weed/filer2/leveldb/leveldb_store_test.go
+++ b/weed/filer2/leveldb/leveldb_store_test.go
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestCreateAndFind(t *testing.T) {
-	filer := filer2.NewFiler("")
+	filer := filer2.NewFiler(nil)
 	dir, _ := ioutil.TempDir("", "seaweedfs_filer_test")
 	defer os.RemoveAll(dir)
 	store := &LevelDBStore{}
diff --git a/weed/filer2/memdb/memdb_store_test.go b/weed/filer2/memdb/memdb_store_test.go
index 5265ed248..160b4a16d 100644
--- a/weed/filer2/memdb/memdb_store_test.go
+++ b/weed/filer2/memdb/memdb_store_test.go
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import (
 )
 
 func TestCreateAndFind(t *testing.T) {
-	filer := filer2.NewFiler("")
+	filer := filer2.NewFiler(nil)
 	store := &MemDbStore{}
 	store.Initialize(nil)
 	filer.SetStore(store)
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestCreateAndFind(t *testing.T) {
 }
 
 func TestCreateFileAndList(t *testing.T) {
-	filer := filer2.NewFiler("")
+	filer := filer2.NewFiler(nil)
 	store := &MemDbStore{}
 	store.Initialize(nil)
 	filer.SetStore(store)
diff --git a/weed/pb/master_pb/seaweed.pb.go b/weed/pb/master_pb/seaweed.pb.go
index f02ffb8f8..a0f23225a 100644
--- a/weed/pb/master_pb/seaweed.pb.go
+++ b/weed/pb/master_pb/seaweed.pb.go
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ It has these top-level messages:
 	Heartbeat
 	HeartbeatResponse
 	VolumeInformationMessage
+	Empty
 */
 package master_pb
 
@@ -235,10 +236,19 @@ func (m *VolumeInformationMessage) GetTtl() uint32 {
 	return 0
 }
 
+type Empty struct {
+}
+
+func (m *Empty) Reset()                    { *m = Empty{} }
+func (m *Empty) String() string            { return proto.CompactTextString(m) }
+func (*Empty) ProtoMessage()               {}
+func (*Empty) Descriptor() ([]byte, []int) { return fileDescriptor0, []int{3} }
+
 func init() {
 	proto.RegisterType((*Heartbeat)(nil), "master_pb.Heartbeat")
 	proto.RegisterType((*HeartbeatResponse)(nil), "master_pb.HeartbeatResponse")
 	proto.RegisterType((*VolumeInformationMessage)(nil), "master_pb.VolumeInformationMessage")
+	proto.RegisterType((*Empty)(nil), "master_pb.Empty")
 }
 
 // Reference imports to suppress errors if they are not otherwise used.
@@ -253,6 +263,7 @@ const _ = grpc.SupportPackageIsVersion4
 
 type SeaweedClient interface {
 	SendHeartbeat(ctx context.Context, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (Seaweed_SendHeartbeatClient, error)
+	KeepConnected(ctx context.Context, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (Seaweed_KeepConnectedClient, error)
 }
 
 type seaweedClient struct {
@@ -294,10 +305,42 @@ func (x *seaweedSendHeartbeatClient) Recv() (*HeartbeatResponse, error) {
 	return m, nil
 }
 
+func (c *seaweedClient) KeepConnected(ctx context.Context, opts ...grpc.CallOption) (Seaweed_KeepConnectedClient, error) {
+	stream, err := grpc.NewClientStream(ctx, &_Seaweed_serviceDesc.Streams[1], c.cc, "/master_pb.Seaweed/KeepConnected", opts...)
+	if err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	x := &seaweedKeepConnectedClient{stream}
+	return x, nil
+}
+
+type Seaweed_KeepConnectedClient interface {
+	Send(*Empty) error
+	Recv() (*Empty, error)
+	grpc.ClientStream
+}
+
+type seaweedKeepConnectedClient struct {
+	grpc.ClientStream
+}
+
+func (x *seaweedKeepConnectedClient) Send(m *Empty) error {
+	return x.ClientStream.SendMsg(m)
+}
+
+func (x *seaweedKeepConnectedClient) Recv() (*Empty, error) {
+	m := new(Empty)
+	if err := x.ClientStream.RecvMsg(m); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return m, nil
+}
+
 // Server API for Seaweed service
 
 type SeaweedServer interface {
 	SendHeartbeat(Seaweed_SendHeartbeatServer) error
+	KeepConnected(Seaweed_KeepConnectedServer) error
 }
 
 func RegisterSeaweedServer(s *grpc.Server, srv SeaweedServer) {
@@ -330,6 +373,32 @@ func (x *seaweedSendHeartbeatServer) Recv() (*Heartbeat, error) {
 	return m, nil
 }
 
+func _Seaweed_KeepConnected_Handler(srv interface{}, stream grpc.ServerStream) error {
+	return srv.(SeaweedServer).KeepConnected(&seaweedKeepConnectedServer{stream})
+}
+
+type Seaweed_KeepConnectedServer interface {
+	Send(*Empty) error
+	Recv() (*Empty, error)
+	grpc.ServerStream
+}
+
+type seaweedKeepConnectedServer struct {
+	grpc.ServerStream
+}
+
+func (x *seaweedKeepConnectedServer) Send(m *Empty) error {
+	return x.ServerStream.SendMsg(m)
+}
+
+func (x *seaweedKeepConnectedServer) Recv() (*Empty, error) {
+	m := new(Empty)
+	if err := x.ServerStream.RecvMsg(m); err != nil {
+		return nil, err
+	}
+	return m, nil
+}
+
 var _Seaweed_serviceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 	ServiceName: "master_pb.Seaweed",
 	HandlerType: (*SeaweedServer)(nil),
@@ -341,6 +410,12 @@ var _Seaweed_serviceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 			ServerStreams: true,
 			ClientStreams: true,
 		},
+		{
+			StreamName:    "KeepConnected",
+			Handler:       _Seaweed_KeepConnected_Handler,
+			ServerStreams: true,
+			ClientStreams: true,
+		},
 	},
 	Metadata: "seaweed.proto",
 }
@@ -348,37 +423,39 @@ var _Seaweed_serviceDesc = grpc.ServiceDesc{
 func init() { proto.RegisterFile("seaweed.proto", fileDescriptor0) }
 
 var fileDescriptor0 = []byte{
-	// 504 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
-	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x09, 0x6e, 0x88, 0x02, 0xff, 0x74, 0x93, 0xdf, 0x6e, 0xd3, 0x30,
-	0x14, 0xc6, 0x49, 0x16, 0xda, 0xfa, 0x74, 0x1d, 0x9d, 0x85, 0x90, 0x05, 0x03, 0x4a, 0xb9, 0x89,
-	0x04, 0xaa, 0xd0, 0xb8, 0xe6, 0x86, 0x49, 0x88, 0x69, 0x20, 0x26, 0x17, 0xb8, 0x8d, 0xdc, 0xe4,
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-	0x01, 0x14, 0xbb, 0x3a, 0x64, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00,
+	// 540 bytes of a gzipped FileDescriptorProto
+	0x1f, 0x8b, 0x08, 0x00, 0x00, 0x09, 0x6e, 0x88, 0x02, 0xff, 0x74, 0x93, 0xcf, 0x6e, 0xd3, 0x4e,
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+	0x6d, 0xec, 0x29, 0x5a, 0x75, 0xbd, 0xb6, 0x76, 0x37, 0x25, 0xee, 0x4b, 0xf0, 0x24, 0xbc, 0x05,
+	0x0f, 0x86, 0x76, 0x36, 0x4e, 0x22, 0xfe, 0xdc, 0x66, 0x3f, 0xf3, 0x1d, 0xcf, 0x78, 0xbe, 0xbb,
+	0x30, 0x34, 0xc8, 0xbf, 0x21, 0x96, 0xd3, 0x46, 0xd7, 0xb6, 0x66, 0x71, 0xc5, 0x8d, 0x45, 0x9d,
+	0x37, 0xcb, 0xc9, 0x8f, 0x10, 0xe2, 0xf7, 0xc8, 0xb5, 0x5d, 0x22, 0xb7, 0xec, 0x04, 0x42, 0xd1,
+	0x24, 0xc1, 0x38, 0x48, 0xe3, 0x2c, 0x14, 0x0d, 0x63, 0x10, 0x35, 0xb5, 0xb6, 0x49, 0x38, 0x0e,
+	0xd2, 0x61, 0x46, 0x31, 0x7b, 0x08, 0xd0, 0xac, 0x96, 0x52, 0x14, 0xf9, 0x4a, 0xcb, 0xe4, 0x80,
+	0xb4, 0xb1, 0x27, 0x9f, 0xb5, 0x64, 0x29, 0x8c, 0x2a, 0xbe, 0xce, 0x6f, 0x6b, 0xb9, 0xaa, 0x30,
+	0x2f, 0xea, 0x95, 0xb2, 0x49, 0x44, 0xe5, 0x27, 0x15, 0x5f, 0x7f, 0x21, 0x3c, 0x73, 0x94, 0x8d,
+	0xe1, 0xd8, 0x29, 0xaf, 0x85, 0xc4, 0xfc, 0x06, 0xdb, 0xe4, 0x70, 0x1c, 0xa4, 0x51, 0x06, 0x15,
+	0x5f, 0xbf, 0x13, 0x12, 0xe7, 0xd8, 0xb2, 0xc7, 0x30, 0x28, 0xb9, 0xe5, 0x79, 0x81, 0xca, 0xa2,
+	0x4e, 0x7a, 0xd4, 0x0b, 0x1c, 0x9a, 0x11, 0x71, 0xf3, 0x69, 0x5e, 0xdc, 0x24, 0x7d, 0xca, 0x50,
+	0xec, 0xe6, 0xe3, 0x65, 0x25, 0x54, 0x4e, 0x93, 0x1f, 0x51, 0xeb, 0x98, 0xc8, 0x95, 0x1b, 0xff,
+	0x35, 0xf4, 0xfd, 0x6c, 0x26, 0x89, 0xc7, 0x07, 0xe9, 0xe0, 0xe2, 0xe9, 0x74, 0xbb, 0x8d, 0xa9,
+	0x1f, 0xef, 0x52, 0x5d, 0xd7, 0xba, 0xe2, 0x56, 0xd4, 0xea, 0x23, 0x1a, 0xc3, 0xbf, 0x62, 0xd6,
+	0xd5, 0x4c, 0x0c, 0x9c, 0x6e, 0xd7, 0x95, 0xa1, 0x69, 0x6a, 0x65, 0x90, 0xa5, 0xf0, 0xbf, 0xcf,
+	0x2f, 0xc4, 0x1d, 0x7e, 0x10, 0x95, 0xb0, 0xb4, 0xc3, 0x28, 0xfb, 0x1d, 0xb3, 0x73, 0x88, 0x0d,
+	0x16, 0x1a, 0xed, 0x1c, 0x5b, 0xda, 0x6a, 0x9c, 0xed, 0x00, 0xbb, 0x0f, 0x3d, 0x89, 0xbc, 0x44,
+	0xbd, 0x59, 0xeb, 0xe6, 0x34, 0xf9, 0x19, 0x42, 0xf2, 0xaf, 0xd1, 0xc8, 0xb3, 0x92, 0xfa, 0x0d,
+	0xb3, 0x50, 0x94, 0x6e, 0x27, 0x46, 0xdc, 0x21, 0x7d, 0x3d, 0xca, 0x28, 0x66, 0x8f, 0x00, 0x8a,
+	0x5a, 0x4a, 0x2c, 0x5c, 0xe1, 0xe6, 0xe3, 0x7b, 0xc4, 0xed, 0x8c, 0x6c, 0xd8, 0xd9, 0x15, 0x65,
+	0xb1, 0x23, 0xde, 0xa9, 0x27, 0x70, 0x5c, 0xa2, 0x44, 0xdb, 0x09, 0xbc, 0x53, 0x03, 0xcf, 0xbc,
+	0xe4, 0x39, 0x30, 0x7f, 0x2c, 0xf3, 0x65, 0xbb, 0x15, 0xf6, 0x48, 0x38, 0xda, 0x64, 0xde, 0xb4,
+	0x9d, 0xfa, 0x01, 0xc4, 0x1a, 0x79, 0x99, 0xd7, 0x4a, 0xb6, 0x64, 0xde, 0x51, 0x76, 0xe4, 0xc0,
+	0x27, 0x25, 0x5b, 0xf6, 0x0c, 0x4e, 0x35, 0x36, 0x52, 0x14, 0x3c, 0x6f, 0x24, 0x2f, 0xb0, 0x42,
+	0xd5, 0xf9, 0x38, 0xda, 0x24, 0xae, 0x3a, 0xce, 0x12, 0xe8, 0xdf, 0xa2, 0x36, 0xee, 0xb7, 0x62,
+	0x92, 0x74, 0x47, 0x36, 0x82, 0x03, 0x6b, 0x65, 0x02, 0x44, 0x5d, 0x38, 0xe9, 0xc3, 0xe1, 0xdb,
+	0xaa, 0xb1, 0xed, 0xc5, 0xf7, 0x00, 0xfa, 0x0b, 0xff, 0x22, 0xd8, 0x25, 0x0c, 0x17, 0xa8, 0xca,
+	0xdd, 0x1b, 0xb8, 0xb7, 0x77, 0x1f, 0xb6, 0xf4, 0xec, 0xfc, 0x6f, 0xb4, 0xbb, 0x00, 0x93, 0xff,
+	0xd2, 0xe0, 0x45, 0xc0, 0x5e, 0xc1, 0x70, 0x8e, 0xd8, 0xcc, 0x6a, 0xa5, 0xb0, 0xb0, 0x58, 0xb2,
+	0xd1, 0x5e, 0x11, 0x75, 0x3e, 0xfb, 0x83, 0xf8, 0xd2, 0x65, 0x8f, 0x1e, 0xe6, 0xcb, 0x5f, 0x01,
+	0x00, 0x00, 0xff, 0xff, 0x41, 0x64, 0x8a, 0xd9, 0xa9, 0x03, 0x00, 0x00,
 }
diff --git a/weed/pb/seaweed.proto b/weed/pb/seaweed.proto
index dd0223f04..4d31f8e6a 100644
--- a/weed/pb/seaweed.proto
+++ b/weed/pb/seaweed.proto
@@ -5,37 +5,44 @@ package master_pb;
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 service Seaweed {
-  rpc SendHeartbeat(stream Heartbeat) returns (stream HeartbeatResponse) {}
+    rpc SendHeartbeat (stream Heartbeat) returns (stream HeartbeatResponse) {
+    }
+    rpc KeepConnected (stream Empty) returns (stream Empty) {
+    }
 }
 
 //////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
 message Heartbeat {
-  string ip = 1;
-  uint32 port = 2;
-  string public_url = 3;
-  uint32 max_volume_count = 4;
-  uint64 max_file_key = 5;
-  string data_center = 6;
-  string rack = 7;
-  uint32 admin_port = 8;
-  repeated VolumeInformationMessage volumes = 9;
+    string ip = 1;
+    uint32 port = 2;
+    string public_url = 3;
+    uint32 max_volume_count = 4;
+    uint64 max_file_key = 5;
+    string data_center = 6;
+    string rack = 7;
+    uint32 admin_port = 8;
+    repeated VolumeInformationMessage volumes = 9;
 }
+
 message HeartbeatResponse {
-  uint64 volumeSizeLimit = 1;
-  string secretKey = 2;
-  string leader = 3;
+    uint64 volumeSizeLimit = 1;
+    string secretKey = 2;
+    string leader = 3;
 }
 
 message VolumeInformationMessage {
-  uint32 id = 1;
-  uint64 size = 2;
-  string collection = 3;
-  uint64 file_count = 4;
-  uint64 delete_count = 5;
-  uint64 deleted_byte_count = 6;
-  bool read_only = 7;
-  uint32 replica_placement = 8;
-  uint32 version = 9;
-  uint32 ttl = 10;
+    uint32 id = 1;
+    uint64 size = 2;
+    string collection = 3;
+    uint64 file_count = 4;
+    uint64 delete_count = 5;
+    uint64 deleted_byte_count = 6;
+    bool read_only = 7;
+    uint32 replica_placement = 8;
+    uint32 version = 9;
+    uint32 ttl = 10;
+}
+
+message Empty {
 }
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_grpc_server.go b/weed/server/filer_grpc_server.go
index da0014af3..8a80cded5 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_grpc_server.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_grpc_server.go
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) GetEntryAttributes(ctx context.Context, req *filer_pb.Get
 
 func (fs *FilerServer) LookupVolume(ctx context.Context, req *filer_pb.LookupVolumeRequest) (*filer_pb.LookupVolumeResponse, error) {
 
-	lookupResult, err := operation.LookupVolumeIds(fs.getMasterNode(), req.VolumeIds)
+	lookupResult, err := operation.LookupVolumeIds(fs.filer.GetMaster(), req.VolumeIds)
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
 	}
@@ -172,11 +172,11 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) UpdateEntry(ctx context.Context, req *filer_pb.UpdateEntr
 	if err = fs.filer.UpdateEntry(newEntry); err == nil {
 		for _, garbage := range unusedChunks {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("deleting %s old chunk: %v, [%d, %d)", fullpath, garbage.FileId, garbage.Offset, garbage.Offset+int64(garbage.Size))
-			operation.DeleteFile(fs.master, garbage.FileId, fs.jwt(garbage.FileId))
+			operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), garbage.FileId, fs.jwt(garbage.FileId))
 		}
 		for _, garbage := range garbages {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("deleting %s garbage chunk: %v, [%d, %d)", fullpath, garbage.FileId, garbage.Offset, garbage.Offset+int64(garbage.Size))
-			operation.DeleteFile(fs.master, garbage.FileId, fs.jwt(garbage.FileId))
+			operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), garbage.FileId, fs.jwt(garbage.FileId))
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -190,7 +190,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) DeleteEntry(ctx context.Context, req *filer_pb.DeleteEntr
 
 func (fs *FilerServer) AssignVolume(ctx context.Context, req *filer_pb.AssignVolumeRequest) (resp *filer_pb.AssignVolumeResponse, err error) {
 
-	assignResult, err := operation.Assign(fs.master, &operation.VolumeAssignRequest{
+	assignResult, err := operation.Assign(fs.filer.GetMaster(), &operation.VolumeAssignRequest{
 		Count:       uint64(req.Count),
 		Replication: req.Replication,
 		Collection:  req.Collection,
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server.go b/weed/server/filer_server.go
index 3e175e960..827971a0d 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server.go
@@ -1,12 +1,8 @@
 package weed_server
 
 import (
-	"math/rand"
 	"net/http"
 	"strconv"
-	"sync"
-	"time"
-
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2"
 	_ "github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2/cassandra"
 	_ "github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2/leveldb"
@@ -14,16 +10,13 @@ import (
 	_ "github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2/mysql"
 	_ "github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2/postgres"
 	_ "github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/filer2/redis"
-	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/security"
-	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/storage"
-	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/util"
+	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
 )
 
 type FilerServer struct {
 	port               string
-	master             string
-	mnLock             sync.RWMutex
+	masters            []string
 	collection         string
 	defaultReplication string
 	redirectOnRead     bool
@@ -31,16 +24,15 @@ type FilerServer struct {
 	secret             security.Secret
 	filer              *filer2.Filer
 	maxMB              int
-	masterNodes        *storage.MasterNodes
 }
 
-func NewFilerServer(defaultMux, readonlyMux *http.ServeMux, ip string, port int, master string, collection string,
+func NewFilerServer(defaultMux, readonlyMux *http.ServeMux, ip string, port int, masters []string, collection string,
 	replication string, redirectOnRead bool, disableDirListing bool,
 	maxMB int,
 	secret string,
 ) (fs *FilerServer, err error) {
 	fs = &FilerServer{
-		master:             master,
+		masters:            masters,
 		collection:         collection,
 		defaultReplication: replication,
 		redirectOnRead:     redirectOnRead,
@@ -48,7 +40,14 @@ func NewFilerServer(defaultMux, readonlyMux *http.ServeMux, ip string, port int,
 		maxMB:              maxMB,
 		port:               ip + ":" + strconv.Itoa(port),
 	}
-	fs.filer = filer2.NewFiler(master)
+
+	if len(masters) == 0 {
+		glog.Fatal("master list is required!")
+	}
+
+	fs.filer = filer2.NewFiler(masters)
+
+	go fs.filer.KeepConnectedToMaster()
 
 	fs.filer.LoadConfiguration()
 
@@ -59,78 +58,9 @@ func NewFilerServer(defaultMux, readonlyMux *http.ServeMux, ip string, port int,
 		readonlyMux.HandleFunc("/", fs.readonlyFilerHandler)
 	}
 
-	go func() {
-		connected := true
-
-		fs.masterNodes = storage.NewMasterNodes(fs.master)
-		glog.V(0).Infof("Filer server bootstraps with master %s", fs.getMasterNode())
-
-		for {
-			glog.V(4).Infof("Filer server sending to master %s", fs.getMasterNode())
-			master, err := fs.detectHealthyMaster(fs.getMasterNode())
-			if err == nil {
-				if !connected {
-					connected = true
-					if fs.getMasterNode() != master {
-						fs.setMasterNode(master)
-					}
-					glog.V(0).Infoln("Filer Server Connected with master at", master)
-				}
-			} else {
-				glog.V(1).Infof("Filer Server Failed to talk with master %s: %v", fs.getMasterNode(), err)
-				if connected {
-					connected = false
-				}
-			}
-			if connected {
-				time.Sleep(time.Duration(float32(10*1e3)*(1+rand.Float32())) * time.Millisecond)
-			} else {
-				time.Sleep(time.Duration(float32(10*1e3)*0.25) * time.Millisecond)
-			}
-		}
-	}()
-
 	return fs, nil
 }
 
 func (fs *FilerServer) jwt(fileId string) security.EncodedJwt {
 	return security.GenJwt(fs.secret, fileId)
 }
-
-func (fs *FilerServer) getMasterNode() string {
-	fs.mnLock.RLock()
-	defer fs.mnLock.RUnlock()
-	return fs.master
-}
-
-func (fs *FilerServer) setMasterNode(masterNode string) {
-	fs.mnLock.Lock()
-	defer fs.mnLock.Unlock()
-	fs.master = masterNode
-}
-
-func (fs *FilerServer) detectHealthyMaster(masterNode string) (master string, e error) {
-	if e = checkMaster(masterNode); e != nil {
-		fs.masterNodes.Reset()
-		for i := 0; i <= 3; i++ {
-			master, e = fs.masterNodes.FindMaster()
-			if e != nil {
-				continue
-			} else {
-				if e = checkMaster(master); e == nil {
-					break
-				}
-			}
-		}
-	} else {
-		master = masterNode
-	}
-	return
-}
-
-func checkMaster(masterNode string) error {
-	statUrl := "http://" + masterNode + "/stats/health"
-	glog.V(4).Infof("Connecting to %s ...", statUrl)
-	_, e := util.Get(statUrl)
-	return e
-}
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
index 7a208b560..c690575b6 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_read.go
@@ -63,7 +63,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) handleSingleChunk(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request,
 
 	fileId := entry.Chunks[0].FileId
 
-	urlString, err := operation.LookupFileId(fs.getMasterNode(), fileId)
+	urlString, err := operation.LookupFileId(fs.filer.GetMaster(), fileId)
 	if err != nil {
 		glog.V(1).Infof("operation LookupFileId %s failed, err: %v", fileId, err)
 		w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotFound)
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) writeContent(w io.Writer, entry *filer2.Entry, offset int
 
 	for _, chunkView := range chunkViews {
 
-		urlString, err := operation.LookupFileId(fs.getMasterNode(), chunkView.FileId)
+		urlString, err := operation.LookupFileId(fs.filer.GetMaster(), chunkView.FileId)
 		if err != nil {
 			glog.V(1).Infof("operation LookupFileId %s failed, err: %v", chunkView.FileId, err)
 			return err
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write.go b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write.go
index 7d93d4485..4c2820e6b 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write.go
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) queryFileInfoByPath(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Reques
 		writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, err)
 	} else {
 		fileId = entry.Chunks[0].FileId
-		urlLocation, err = operation.LookupFileId(fs.getMasterNode(), fileId)
+		urlLocation, err = operation.LookupFileId(fs.filer.GetMaster(), fileId)
 		if err != nil {
 			glog.V(1).Infof("operation LookupFileId %s failed, err is %s", fileId, err.Error())
 			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotFound)
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) assignNewFileInfo(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request,
 		Collection:  collection,
 		Ttl:         r.URL.Query().Get("ttl"),
 	}
-	assignResult, ae := operation.Assign(fs.getMasterNode(), ar)
+	assignResult, ae := operation.Assign(fs.filer.GetMaster(), ar)
 	if ae != nil {
 		glog.V(0).Infoln("failing to assign a file id", ae.Error())
 		writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, ae)
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) PostHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		if ret.Name != "" {
 			path += ret.Name
 		} else {
-			operation.DeleteFile(fs.getMasterNode(), fileId, fs.jwt(fileId)) //clean up
+			operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), fileId, fs.jwt(fileId)) //clean up
 			glog.V(0).Infoln("Can not to write to folder", path, "without a file name!")
 			writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError,
 				errors.New("Can not to write to folder "+path+" without a file name"))
@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) PostHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	if r.Method != "PUT" {
 		if entry, err := fs.filer.FindEntry(filer2.FullPath(path)); err == nil {
 			oldFid := entry.Chunks[0].FileId
-			operation.DeleteFile(fs.getMasterNode(), oldFid, fs.jwt(oldFid))
+			operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), oldFid, fs.jwt(oldFid))
 		} else if err != nil && err != filer2.ErrNotFound {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("error %v occur when finding %s in filer store", err, path)
 		}
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) PostHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 		}},
 	}
 	if db_err := fs.filer.CreateEntry(entry); db_err != nil {
-		operation.DeleteFile(fs.getMasterNode(), fileId, fs.jwt(fileId)) //clean up
+		operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), fileId, fs.jwt(fileId)) //clean up
 		glog.V(0).Infof("failing to write %s to filer server : %v", path, db_err)
 		writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, db_err)
 		return
diff --git a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write_autochunk.go b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write_autochunk.go
index 5156ae02c..adc50d030 100644
--- a/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write_autochunk.go
+++ b/weed/server/filer_server_handlers_write_autochunk.go
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ func (fs *FilerServer) doAutoChunk(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request, conte
 		if entry, err := fs.filer.FindEntry(filer2.FullPath(path)); err == nil {
 			for _, chunk := range entry.Chunks {
 				oldFid := chunk.FileId
-				operation.DeleteFile(fs.getMasterNode(), oldFid, fs.jwt(oldFid))
+				operation.DeleteFile(fs.filer.GetMaster(), oldFid, fs.jwt(oldFid))
 			}
 		} else if err != nil {
 			glog.V(0).Infof("error %v occur when finding %s in filer store", err, path)
diff --git a/weed/server/master_grpc_server.go b/weed/server/master_grpc_server.go
index d9b8f9e09..e97cc126e 100644
--- a/weed/server/master_grpc_server.go
+++ b/weed/server/master_grpc_server.go
@@ -77,3 +77,15 @@ func (ms *MasterServer) SendHeartbeat(stream master_pb.Seaweed_SendHeartbeatServ
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+func (ms *MasterServer) KeepConnected(stream master_pb.Seaweed_KeepConnectedServer) error {
+	for {
+		_, err := stream.Recv()
+		if err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+		if err := stream.Send(&master_pb.Empty{}); err != nil {
+			return err
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_grpc_client.go b/weed/server/volume_grpc_client.go
index 2f3f36924..7688745e2 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_grpc_client.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_grpc_client.go
@@ -7,49 +7,51 @@ import (
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/pb/master_pb"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/security"
-	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/storage"
 	"golang.org/x/net/context"
 	"google.golang.org/grpc"
 )
 
+func (vs *VolumeServer) GetMaster() string {
+	return vs.currentMaster
+}
 func (vs *VolumeServer) heartbeat() {
 
-	glog.V(0).Infof("Volume server bootstraps with master %s", vs.GetMasterNode())
-	vs.masterNodes = storage.NewMasterNodes(vs.masterNode)
+	glog.V(0).Infof("Volume server start with masters: %v", vs.MasterNodes)
 	vs.store.SetDataCenter(vs.dataCenter)
 	vs.store.SetRack(vs.rack)
 
+	var err error
+	var newLeader string
 	for {
-		err := vs.doHeartbeat(time.Duration(vs.pulseSeconds) * time.Second)
-		if err != nil {
-			glog.V(0).Infof("heartbeat error: %v", err)
-			time.Sleep(time.Duration(vs.pulseSeconds) * time.Second)
+		for _, master := range vs.MasterNodes {
+			if newLeader != "" {
+				master = newLeader
+			}
+			newLeader, err = vs.doHeartbeat(master, time.Duration(vs.pulseSeconds)*time.Second)
+			if err != nil {
+				glog.V(0).Infof("heartbeat error: %v", err)
+				time.Sleep(time.Duration(vs.pulseSeconds) * time.Second)
+			}
 		}
 	}
 }
 
-func (vs *VolumeServer) doHeartbeat(sleepInterval time.Duration) error {
-
-	vs.masterNodes.Reset()
-	masterNode, err := vs.masterNodes.FindMaster()
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("No master found: %v", err)
-	}
+func (vs *VolumeServer) doHeartbeat(masterNode string, sleepInterval time.Duration) (newLeader string, err error) {
 
 	grpcConection, err := grpc.Dial(masterNode, grpc.WithInsecure())
 	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("fail to dial: %v", err)
+		return "", fmt.Errorf("fail to dial: %v", err)
 	}
 	defer grpcConection.Close()
 
 	client := master_pb.NewSeaweedClient(grpcConection)
 	stream, err := client.SendHeartbeat(context.Background())
 	if err != nil {
-		glog.V(0).Infof("%v.SendHeartbeat(_) = _, %v", client, err)
-		return err
+		glog.V(0).Infof("SendHeartbeat to %s: %v", masterNode, err)
+		return "", err
 	}
-	vs.SetMasterNode(masterNode)
-	glog.V(0).Infof("Heartbeat to %s", masterNode)
+	glog.V(0).Infof("Heartbeat to: %v", masterNode)
+	vs.currentMaster = masterNode
 
 	vs.store.Client = stream
 	defer func() { vs.store.Client = nil }()
@@ -70,7 +72,8 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) doHeartbeat(sleepInterval time.Duration) error {
 				vs.guard.SecretKey = security.Secret(in.GetSecretKey())
 			}
 			if in.GetLeader() != "" && masterNode != in.GetLeader() {
-				vs.masterNodes.SetPossibleLeader(in.GetLeader())
+				glog.V(0).Infof("Volume Server found a new master newLeader: %v instead of %v", in.GetLeader(), masterNode)
+				newLeader = in.GetLeader()
 				doneChan <- nil
 				return
 			}
@@ -79,7 +82,7 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) doHeartbeat(sleepInterval time.Duration) error {
 
 	if err = stream.Send(vs.store.CollectHeartbeat()); err != nil {
 		glog.V(0).Infof("Volume Server Failed to talk with master %s: %v", masterNode, err)
-		return err
+		return "", err
 	}
 
 	tickChan := time.Tick(sleepInterval)
@@ -89,11 +92,10 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) doHeartbeat(sleepInterval time.Duration) error {
 		case <-tickChan:
 			if err = stream.Send(vs.store.CollectHeartbeat()); err != nil {
 				glog.V(0).Infof("Volume Server Failed to talk with master %s: %v", masterNode, err)
-				return err
+				return "", err
 			}
-		case err := <-doneChan:
-			glog.V(0).Infof("Volume Server heart beat stops with %v", err)
-			return err
+		case <-doneChan:
+			return
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_server.go b/weed/server/volume_server.go
index 0b7e09c59..9294f9bf6 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_server.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_server.go
@@ -2,22 +2,19 @@ package weed_server
 
 import (
 	"net/http"
-	"sync"
-
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/security"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/storage"
 )
 
 type VolumeServer struct {
-	masterNode   string
-	mnLock       sync.RWMutex
-	pulseSeconds int
-	dataCenter   string
-	rack         string
-	store        *storage.Store
-	guard        *security.Guard
-	masterNodes  *storage.MasterNodes
+	MasterNodes   []string
+	currentMaster string
+	pulseSeconds  int
+	dataCenter    string
+	rack          string
+	store         *storage.Store
+	guard         *security.Guard
 
 	needleMapKind     storage.NeedleMapType
 	FixJpgOrientation bool
@@ -28,7 +25,7 @@ func NewVolumeServer(adminMux, publicMux *http.ServeMux, ip string,
 	port int, publicUrl string,
 	folders []string, maxCounts []int,
 	needleMapKind storage.NeedleMapType,
-	masterNode string, pulseSeconds int,
+	masterNodes []string, pulseSeconds int,
 	dataCenter string, rack string,
 	whiteList []string,
 	fixJpgOrientation bool,
@@ -41,7 +38,7 @@ func NewVolumeServer(adminMux, publicMux *http.ServeMux, ip string,
 		FixJpgOrientation: fixJpgOrientation,
 		ReadRedirect:      readRedirect,
 	}
-	vs.SetMasterNode(masterNode)
+	vs.MasterNodes = masterNodes
 	vs.store = storage.NewStore(port, ip, publicUrl, folders, maxCounts, vs.needleMapKind)
 
 	vs.guard = security.NewGuard(whiteList, "")
@@ -76,18 +73,6 @@ func NewVolumeServer(adminMux, publicMux *http.ServeMux, ip string,
 	return vs
 }
 
-func (vs *VolumeServer) GetMasterNode() string {
-	vs.mnLock.RLock()
-	defer vs.mnLock.RUnlock()
-	return vs.masterNode
-}
-
-func (vs *VolumeServer) SetMasterNode(masterNode string) {
-	vs.mnLock.Lock()
-	defer vs.mnLock.Unlock()
-	vs.masterNode = masterNode
-}
-
 func (vs *VolumeServer) Shutdown() {
 	glog.V(0).Infoln("Shutting down volume server...")
 	vs.store.Close()
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_read.go b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_read.go
index a90d4c0e2..b784dd60e 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_read.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_read.go
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) GetOrHeadHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 			w.WriteHeader(http.StatusNotFound)
 			return
 		}
-		lookupResult, err := operation.Lookup(vs.GetMasterNode(), volumeId.String())
+		lookupResult, err := operation.Lookup(vs.GetMaster(), volumeId.String())
 		glog.V(2).Infoln("volume", volumeId, "found on", lookupResult, "error", err)
 		if err == nil && len(lookupResult.Locations) > 0 {
 			u, _ := url.Parse(util.NormalizeUrl(lookupResult.Locations[0].PublicUrl))
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) tryHandleChunkedFile(n *storage.Needle, fileName string,
 
 	chunkedFileReader := &operation.ChunkedFileReader{
 		Manifest: chunkManifest,
-		Master:   vs.GetMasterNode(),
+		Master:   vs.GetMaster(),
 	}
 	defer chunkedFileReader.Close()
 	if e := writeResponseContent(fileName, mType, chunkedFileReader, w, r); e != nil {
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_ui.go b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_ui.go
index 6fc775a6d..c75c66bae 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_ui.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_ui.go
@@ -21,14 +21,14 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) uiStatusHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request)
 	}
 	args := struct {
 		Version      string
-		Master       string
+		Masters      []string
 		Volumes      interface{}
 		DiskStatuses interface{}
 		Stats        interface{}
 		Counters     *stats.ServerStats
 	}{
 		util.VERSION,
-		vs.masterNode,
+		vs.MasterNodes,
 		vs.store.Status(),
 		ds,
 		infos,
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_write.go b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_write.go
index e45c2245c..3864ec903 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_write.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_server_handlers_write.go
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) PostHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 	}
 
 	ret := operation.UploadResult{}
-	size, errorStatus := topology.ReplicatedWrite(vs.GetMasterNode(),
+	size, errorStatus := topology.ReplicatedWrite(vs.GetMaster(),
 		vs.store, volumeId, needle, r)
 	httpStatus := http.StatusCreated
 	if errorStatus != "" {
@@ -80,14 +80,14 @@ func (vs *VolumeServer) DeleteHandler(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
 			return
 		}
 		// make sure all chunks had deleted before delete manifest
-		if e := chunkManifest.DeleteChunks(vs.GetMasterNode()); e != nil {
+		if e := chunkManifest.DeleteChunks(vs.GetMaster()); e != nil {
 			writeJsonError(w, r, http.StatusInternalServerError, fmt.Errorf("Delete chunks error: %v", e))
 			return
 		}
 		count = chunkManifest.Size
 	}
 
-	_, err := topology.ReplicatedDelete(vs.GetMasterNode(), vs.store, volumeId, n, r)
+	_, err := topology.ReplicatedDelete(vs.GetMaster(), vs.store, volumeId, n, r)
 
 	if err == nil {
 		m := make(map[string]int64)
diff --git a/weed/server/volume_server_ui/templates.go b/weed/server/volume_server_ui/templates.go
index c3db6e92a..5f01588f4 100644
--- a/weed/server/volume_server_ui/templates.go
+++ b/weed/server/volume_server_ui/templates.go
@@ -72,8 +72,8 @@ var StatusTpl = template.Must(template.New("status").Funcs(funcMap).Parse(`<!DOC
           <h2>System Stats</h2>
           <table class="table table-condensed table-striped">
             <tr>
-              <th>Master</th>
-              <td><a href="http://{{.Master}}/ui/index.html">{{.Master}}</a></td>
+              <th>Masters</th>
+              <td>{{.Masters}}</td>
             </tr>
             <tr>
               <th>Weekly # ReadRequests</th>
diff --git a/weed/storage/store.go b/weed/storage/store.go
index a7d8db3a1..84ed1951d 100644
--- a/weed/storage/store.go
+++ b/weed/storage/store.go
@@ -1,13 +1,11 @@
 package storage
 
 import (
-	"errors"
 	"fmt"
 	"strconv"
 	"strings"
 
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/glog"
-	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/operation"
 	"github.com/chrislusf/seaweedfs/weed/pb/master_pb"
 )
 
@@ -15,55 +13,6 @@ const (
 	MAX_TTL_VOLUME_REMOVAL_DELAY = 10 // 10 minutes
 )
 
-type MasterNodes struct {
-	nodes          []string
-	leader         string
-	possibleLeader string
-}
-
-func (mn *MasterNodes) String() string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("nodes:%v, leader:%s", mn.nodes, mn.leader)
-}
-
-func NewMasterNodes(bootstrapNode string) (mn *MasterNodes) {
-	mn = &MasterNodes{nodes: []string{bootstrapNode}, leader: ""}
-	return
-}
-func (mn *MasterNodes) Reset() {
-	if mn.leader != "" {
-		mn.leader = ""
-		glog.V(0).Infof("Resetting master nodes: %v", mn)
-	}
-}
-func (mn *MasterNodes) SetPossibleLeader(possibleLeader string) {
-	// TODO try to check this leader first
-	mn.possibleLeader = possibleLeader
-}
-func (mn *MasterNodes) FindMaster() (leader string, err error) {
-	if len(mn.nodes) == 0 {
-		return "", errors.New("No master node found!")
-	}
-	if mn.leader == "" {
-		for _, m := range mn.nodes {
-			glog.V(4).Infof("Listing masters on %s", m)
-			if leader, masters, e := operation.ListMasters(m); e == nil {
-				if leader != "" {
-					mn.nodes = append(masters, m)
-					mn.leader = leader
-					glog.V(2).Infof("current master nodes is %v", mn)
-					break
-				}
-			} else {
-				glog.V(4).Infof("Failed listing masters on %s: %v", m, e)
-			}
-		}
-	}
-	if mn.leader == "" {
-		return "", errors.New("No master node available!")
-	}
-	return mn.leader, nil
-}
-
 /*
  * A VolumeServer contains one Store
  */