A network visibility system includes a packet router and a router controller. The router controller programs respective forwarding rules in each of a set of load-sharing components of the packet router. Each load-sharing component in the set is designed to forward communication packets according to the respective programmed packet-forwarding rules. The router controller receives, from the packet router, information indicating an update to the availability status of components in the set of components. The router controller updates the respective forwarding rules to reflect the update to the availability status.