Abstract: A segmentation system includes a cluster of segmentation servers that interoperate to obtain and manage a segmentation policy for controlling communications between workloads in an administrative domain. The cluster of segmentation servers includes a leader segmentation server and at least one member segmentation server. The leader segmentation server controls policy generation and distributes the segmentation policy to the member segmentation servers. The segmentation servers are each optionally paired with a respective set of workloads. The segmentation servers each distribute descriptions of their respective paired workloads to the other segmentation servers. Each segmentation server processes the segmentation policy to generate management instructions for controlling communications to and from their respective paired workloads and distributes the management instructions to the operating system instances executing the workloads to enforce the segmentation policy.

Abstract: Group profiling with offers distributed through affinity groups is provided. Each affinity group has members who have pre-existing relationships with the affinity group. Savings offers from sponsors are distributed to affinity group members. A member of an affinity group accesses and receives one or more offers through a forum, such as a website, established by the same affinity group. Each distributed offer includes an identifier that is associated with a product and is associated with the affinity group of the member receiving the offer. Upon redemption of an offer at a store, redemption data is recorded and used for profiling the affinity group associated with the identifier of the redeemed offer. The group profiling enables sponsors to find the reach, relevance, and influence of the affinity groups and enables affinity groups to find the most valued offers for their members.