Synchronizing state information between control units

Techniques are described for synchronizing state information between a plurality of control units. A router, for example, is described that includes a primary control unit and a standby control unit. The primary control unit maintains router resources to ensure operation of the router. To ensure operation, the primary control unit receives state information from the router resources and maintains the state information for consumers, i.e. router resources that require or "consume" state information. Prior to updating the consumers with the state information, the primary control unit synchronizes the state information with the standby control unit. In the event the primary control unit fails, the standby control unit assumes control of the router resources. Upon assuming control, the standby control unit resumes updating the consumers with state information without having to "relearn" state information, e.g., by way of power cycling the router resources to a known state.