code: protected void sendAppendRequest(MemberState member, AppendRequest request) {
      // Set the start time of the member's current commit. This will be used to associate responses
      // with the current commit request.
      member.setHeartbeatStartTime(heartbeatTime);
  
      super.sendAppendRequest(member, request);
    }
docs: Connects to the member and sends a commit message.