Abstract: Distributed network devices are monitored and managed by a monitoring server. The monitored devices are divided into a plurality of groups, one of monitored devices in each group being appointed the primary device of the group. Group status information is normally received only from the primary device of the group or receiving member status information from a member device. When group status information is received by the monitoring server, the monitoring server may assign the devices covered by the group status report to new groups with the same or a different primary device.