Techniques for mastering resources in a cluster of nodes are provided. A global backup lock manager (GBLM) is maintained for a cluster of nodes that implement distributed lock management. Before a server instance is taken down, for example, for maintenance purposes, such as installing a new version of the server instance code, the mastership information that the server instance stores is reflected in the mastership information maintained by the GBLM. Thus, shutting down the server instance does not involve remastering the resources mastered by the server instance. As a result, shutting down the server instance may take minimal time.