Undesirable behavior patterns of computers on a network impact network
performance. A system and method are provided for limiting the impact of
undesirable behavior of computers on the network. The network, through
which packets of data are interchanged between the computers, includes
one or more forwarding devices that are controlled or instructed by one
or more packet traffic monitors. Each of the packet traffic monitors is
configured for monitoring the packets; for determining if the information
about the pattern of behavior from any of the computers is trustworthy;
for determining, upon discovering that one or more of the patterns of
behavior is undesirable, a type of the undesirable pattern behavior; and
for determining a proper action for mitigating that type of undesirable
behavior. The proper action is performed by mitigation means controlling
the one or more forwarding devices.