In an example, there is disclosed a computing apparatus for providing load-balanced switching, including a switching network; one or more logic elements operable for providing network switching or routing; and one or more logic elements providing a load balancing engine operable for: load balancing at least some incoming network traffic; receiving an exclude list identifying a network node excluded from load balancing; identifying a network packet directed to the network node excluded from load balancing; and directing the network packet to the network.