A configurable advertisement count and skew timer in a virtual router can be used to improve the speed with which a backup virtual router assumes the role of master upon the master router's failure. Enhanced VRRP packets having a type other than one may be used to cause MAC address movement from a failed master router to a backup router assuming the role of master router without placing an undue load on other routers in the network, such as by dropping the enhanced VRRP packets having a type other than one without processing the packets in the control plane of a receiving virtual router.