An example method includes configuring a network to facilitate communications between a first virtual resource manager (VRM) in a first physical rack and a second VRM in a second physical rack. The first VRM manages first physical resources in the first physical rack. The second VRM manages second physical resources in the second physical rack. A primary election process determines one of the first or second VRMs to operate as a primary VRM for a virtual server rack. The virtual server rack is based on the first physical resources and the second physical resources. When the first VRM is the elected primary VRM, the first VRM is registered as the primary VRM. When the first VRM is not the elected primary VRM, the first VRM is registered as a secondary VRM, and a watch object is created to monitor for a failure or unavailability of the primary VRM.