Patent attributes
A method operable in a security device cluster having a plurality of security devices each configured to receive respective data flows. The method includes receiving a first segment of a flow at a first security device of the plurality of security devices, sending the first segment of the flow toward a destination node without the first security device of the plurality of security devices asserting ownership over the flow, receiving, from the destination node, a second segment of the flow at a second security device of the plurality of security devices, the second segment of the flow being responsive to the first segment, asserting, by the second security device of the plurality of security devices, ownership over the flow, and forwarding, from the first security device, packets of the flow subsequently received by the first security device to the second security device.