Abstract: There is provided a network for application-layer load balancing and high availability via LACP bonding. In one aspect, a computer network comprises one or more computing component systems and one or more switches, connected to the one or more computing component systems. The connection of each of the one or more computing component systems to the one or more switches is via a LACP connection, wherein the LACP connection informs the one or more switches whether the computing component system is live. The one or more switches receives network traffic and determines which of the one or more computing component systems to send the network traffic to, based on which of the one or more systems is live.

Abstract: The invention concerns a network policy controller coupled to a computer network and including a communications interface (303) arranged to monitor network authorization requests relating to a plurality of network devices connected to said network; at least one memory (306) arranged to store past network authorization requests relating to each of said plurality of network devices; and a processor (302) arranged to verify, in response to a network authorization request relating to one of said network devices, the occurrence of at least one past network authorization request stored in said memory for said network device, and to perform an action based on said verification.