ADAPTIVE LOAD BALANCING

Methods and systems for performing load balancing within an Ethernet network are provided. According to one embodiment, a set of paths is maintained by a first component of multiple components coupled in communication with a network. Each path is a loop-free switching path, reverse path learning network and the first component and a second component of the multiple components are connected through each path. A packet destined for the second component is received by the first component. On a packet-by-packet basis or on a per flow basis, the first component dynamically selects a particular path of the multiple of paths by selecting a virtual network of the set of virtual networks for transporting the received packet that tends to balance traffic load across the set of virtual networks. The first component causes the received packet to be transported through the network to the second component via the particular path.