Abstract: A system for efficiently determining a set of next-hop switches from a switch is provided. During operation, the system can determine the plurality of next-hop switches for an Internet Protocol (IP) address prefix. The system can then store, in an entry of a forwarding data structure of the switch, a list of identifying information indicating the plurality of next-hop switches corresponding to the IP address prefix. The identifying information for the plurality of next-hop switches can be stored in the list in an order of preference for forwarding traffic matching the IP address prefix. Upon receiving a packet with a destination IP address matching the IP address prefix, the system can select the entry from the forwarding data structure for determining a next-hop switch for forwarding the packet. The system can then determine the next-hop switch for the packet from the entry based on the order of preference.