An embodiment includes a method of self-election of a node in a subnet. The method includes receiving a first ping message. The first ping message is unicast from a second node, includes direct information related to the second node, and includes indirect information related to a third node. The method includes updating a first status of the second node in a status list stored at the first node consistent with the direct information. The method includes determining whether statuses of a threshold number of nodes have been received. Responsive to the threshold number of nodes being received, the method includes performing a local election operation. The method includes propagating a second ping message to a randomly identified additional node. The second ping message includes direct information regarding the first node and indirect information regarding at least one other node.