Abstract: A method provides high reliability to management of a cluster of network devices. The cluster including a command network device and at least one member network device. The command network device has a commander IP address and a commander MAC address. The method includes: defining a standby group by assigning a virtual IP address and a virtual MAC address; selecting a first network device, which is the command network device, for the standby group; selecting at least one second network device, which has an IP address, for the standby group; defining a standby priority for each network device in the standby group; and binding the standby group to the cluster, by replacing the commander IP address with the virtual IP address and replacing the commander MAC address with the virtual MAC address. Upon the binding, the network device with a highest priority becomes an active commander, and the network device with a second highest priority becomes a standby commander.