A technique is disclosed for redirecting information in a segmented virtual machine. The technique includes sending information to a shell VM and redirecting the information to bypass the shell VM. A technique for evaluating whether to redirect information may include sending a discovery packet, receiving a reply to the discovery packet; and determining whether a switch is capable of stitching based on the reply. A technique for responding to a discovery packet may include receiving the discovery packet at a switch and sending a response indicating a capability of the switch.