Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with a highly available network computer system that does not utilize a load balancer are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of management application instances configured to manage network devices and a plurality of network devices. Each network device includes computer storage medium storing a registry of management application instances. The registry records, for each management application instance, connection information used to communicate with the management application instance and an associated priority for each management application instance. The network device also includes an agent and selection logic. The agent is configured to identify a network communication intended for a management application instance. The selection logic is configured to access the registry; identify a management application instance in the registry having a highest associated priority; and cause the agent to transmit the network communication to the highest priority management application instance.