System and method for load balancing of network packets received from a MME with smart clustering

A system and method for monitoring one or more Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) with a plurality of scalable Virtual Machines (VM)/probes arranged in a cluster format. A ciphered packet is received from a MME at a smart cluster device/probe whereby data is aggregated from the individual clustered VMs/probes for distribution to a monitoring device. The smart cluster device/probe is preferably configured to decipher the ciphered packet received from the MME and extract metadata from the deciphered packet to identify subscriber information for the received packet. The deciphered packet is then distributed to one of the plurality of clustered probes to balance the load amongst the plurality of clustered probes. The balancing of loads is based upon prescribed load balancing criteria such that each packet received for an identified subscriber is sent to a same probe such that load balancing is performed on a per subscriber basis and/or with other state-based criteria. KPI session related data associated with a subscriber is generated in a clustered probe that receives the distributed packet from the smart cluster device/probe. Subscriber related data from each clustered probe is then aggregated with at least one monitoring device operably coupled to the clustered probes such that a user of the monitoring device is provided with the perception that the monitoring device is coupled to a single probe.