In a method for sending packet traffic, an access device transmits a first part of to-be-transmitted traffic to a forwarding controller for check. After the check is passed, the forwarding controller forwards the first part of the to-be-transmitted traffic. The access device transmits a second part of the to-be-transmitted traffic to a first forwarding node, and the first forwarding node forwards the second part of the to-be-transmitted traffic based on received forwarding indication information and forwarding information of the to-be-transmitted traffic.