Method to assist in distribution of packets between a plurality of switch elements in a distributed switch, by monitoring an attribute of each of the plurality of switch elements including a first switch element and a first surrogate switch element, the first surrogate switch element in a first level of a hierarchy and configured using a default hierarchy configuration. The default hierarchy configuration forwards a data frame to at least one of: a destination switch element of the data frame, and a second surrogate switch element. The second surrogate switch element is in a second hierarchy level. A score is computed based on the monitored attribute for each of the switch elements. Upon determining the score of the first switch element is greater than the score of the first surrogate switch element, the first switch element is designated as the first surrogate switch element.