A method, in a first network element of an inter-chassis redundancy (ICR) system, of cooperating with a second network element of the ICR system to provide ICR. The network elements are coupled by a synchronization channel. IP addresses are announced with a favorable traffic direction attribute. It is determined that the second network element either has announced the IP addresses with an unfavorable traffic direction attribute less favorable than the favorable direction attribute, or has not announced the IP addresses. Sessions that are connected through the IP addresses are handled. Session state synchronization messages that include session state for the handled sessions are transmitted over the synchronization channel to the second network element. It is determined, after an occurrence of a failure event that inhibits the first element from handling the sessions, that the IP addresses have been announced by the second network element with a favorable traffic direction attribute.