In an example embodiment, an apparatus with a first interface coupled to a local domain with routers that employ a redundant router protocol, such as Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and/or Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP), and a second interface coupled with a shared domain, such as Virtual Private LAN (Local Area Network) Service (VPLS), and virtual bridging logic coupled with the first and second interfaces. The virtual bridging logic performs packet snooping, filtering and/or provides a proxy service so that the routers employing the redundant router protocol are localized in the local domain, and avoids the routers employing the redundant router protocol from associating with other routers employing the redundant routing protocol that are in another local domain coupled with the shared domain.