def METHOD_NAME(self, num_clients: int, timeout: int = 86400) -> bool:
    """Wait until at least `num_clients` are available."""
    start_time = time.time()
    while time.time() < start_time + timeout:
        self._update_nodes()
        if len(self.clients) >= num_clients:
            return True
        time.sleep(1)
    return False