VA-003 Explain Vault architecture Practice Question
A Vault cluster with three nodes using Integrated Storage (Raft) is healthy with one active and two standby nodes. A network partition isolates the active node. What will happen?
⚠ Common exam trap
HashiCorp often tests the misconception that losing the active node forces the cluster into read-only or standby mode, but the key is understanding that Raft's majority-based quorum allows the remaining nodes to elect a new leader and continue operations.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The two standby nodes elect a new leader and continue writing.
In a Vault cluster with Integrated Storage (Raft), a majority of nodes (quorum) is required to maintain leadership and process write operations. When the active node is isolated, the two remaining standby nodes still constitute a majority (2 out of 3). They will hold a new leader election using the Raft consensus algorithm, elect a new active node, and continue accepting write requests. The isolated node, upon reconnection, will be treated as a follower and replicate data from the new leader.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The two standby nodes will seal themselves.
Why it's wrong here
Raft quorum requires two of three voters; the two standby nodes retain quorum, elect a new active leader and continue serving, so they do not seal. Sealing occurs on unrecoverable storage or key errors, or when an operator seals a node. Standbys sealing would be expected only if quorum were genuinely lost.
- ✗
The two standby nodes remain in standby state.
Why it's wrong here
With quorum intact, the two remaining Raft voters detect the lost leader, hold an election and promote one standby to active, so the cluster resumes writes rather than idling. Standbys staying passive happens only when a reachable active leader already exists. Remaining standby would leave the cluster leaderless despite quorum.
- ✓
The two standby nodes elect a new leader and continue writing.
Why this is correct
Raft requires a majority quorum to commit writes. Isolating the active node leaves the two standby nodes forming a quorum of three, so they elect a new leader and continue accepting writes while the old active steps down.
- ✗
The cluster becomes read-only until the active node rejoins.
Why it's wrong here
Raft is not read-only on leader loss; with two of three voters reachable, quorum holds and a standby is elected active, restoring both reads and writes. Read-only behaviour appears when quorum is lost entirely, such as two of three nodes failing. Here the majority survives, so writes continue.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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