A system and method are provided for forming a cluster of networked devices, such as multifunctional devices (MFDs), by scanning a configuration document. The configuration document is printed using a seed device and is scanned and read by one or more devices which are desired to join the cluster. The configuration document includes encoded data corresponding to the attributes and other characteristics of the seed device. Each device decodes the encoded data corresponding to the configuration document and determines if it is compatible with the seed device. If a device determines that it is compatible with the seed device and is thus able to share its resources with the seed device, and vice versa, the device can decide whether to join the cluster. The cluster self-administers itself; each device independently determines whether to leave the cluster, remain in the cluster, and rejoin the cluster.