Processing management packets is disclosed. In some embodiments, a network device includes a set of line cards. Each line card may include a management processor. In some embodiments, if it is determined that a management packet received by a first management processor of a first line card is associated with a management process that is at least in part associated with a second management processor on a second line card, the management packet may be forwarded from the first management processor to the second management processor. In some embodiments, a set of one or more management processors operate as a cluster of peers to implement the management functionality of a network device and may communicate via a private network.