EFFICIENT TRAFFIC REDIRECTION FOR AN MCLAG FOR CONTROLLED UNAVAILABILITY EVENTS

A system for facilitating traffic redirection for a multi-chassis link aggregation group (MCLAG) is provided. During operation, the system can participate in an MCLAG using a first interface of a first switch. The MCLAG can also include a second interface of a second switch. Based on predetermined unavailability for the first switch, the system can determine a sequence of applications for a plurality of traffic forwarding configurations. A respective configuration can facilitate loop prevention for traffic forwarded via the MCLAG. The system can then apply the plurality of configurations to the first switch based on the sequence of applications to redirect unicast traffic from the first switch to the second switch. Here, applying a respective configuration can include programming corresponding switch hardware with the configuration. Subsequently, the system can perform a set of operations on the first switch that triggers the predetermined unavailability.