Embodiments are directed to a method of implementing a packet capture ring. The packet capture ring includes a plurality of appliances, and the plurality of appliances includes a first appliance and a second appliance. The first appliance and the second appliance are both attached to a network tap, and the first appliance works as a master appliance. The master appliance ingests packets from the network tap, encapsulates the packets and forwards encapsulated packets in the packet capture ring. The method includes: detecting, by the second appliance, a failure of the first appliance; working, by the second appliance, as the master appliance; and removing, by the second appliance, the first appliance from a forwarding designation list.