1. A method of programmatically starting a node in a clustered computer system, comprising: assigning a starting state value to the node; initiating an automated discovery process for discovering a sponsor node in the clustered computer system; starting the node as a one-node cluster in the clustered computer system if no sponsor node is discovered; joining the node into the clustered computer system if the sponsor node is discovered; and assigning the node a state value of active by the clustering infrastructure.