A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving at a network element having a binding table a packet that is part of a flow, the binding table having an entry corresponding to the flow, the entry mapping the flow to a first one of a plurality of endpoints and recognizing that a state of the first one of the plurality of endpoints at the first network element is not active. The method further includes, determining that the state of the first one of the plurality of endpoints at a second network element mated with the first network element and having a binding table similar to the binding table of the first network element is active. The method still further includes, directing the flow to the first one of the plurality of endpoints via the second network element.