A first network device is configured with a rule preventing network traffic from travelling from the first network device to one or more other network devices. The first network device is configured to receive and distribute network traffic to the one or more other network devices. A second network device receives and distributes network traffic to the one or more other network devices. The first network device determines that the second network device has failed. In response to determining that the second network device has failed, the first network device removes the rule so that the first network device receives and distributes network traffic to the one or more other network devices.