Methods and apparatus for efficient use of link aggregation groups

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the memory, the processor configured to:
• receive, at a gateway device and in response to a triggering event in which a link, from a plurality of links between the gateway device and a switch, changes from an inactive configuration to an active configuration, an indication to load balance a plurality of active sessions associated with a network node and the switch across the plurality of links, the plurality of active sessions including (1) a first plurality of active sessions between the network node and the switch and (2) a second plurality of active sessions between a plurality of virtual ports and the switch, each session from the second plurality of active sessions being associated with a session from the first plurality of active sessions;
• and
• in response to the indication:
• select a session from the first plurality of active sessions based on that session being associated with a greater number of sessions from the second plurality of active sessions than each remaining session from the first plurality of active sessions, and
• send, from the gateway device to the switch, a login signal to initiate a reestablishment of that session from the first plurality of active sessions with the link from the plurality of links.

A method, comprising:

• receiving, at a gateway device and in response to a triggering event in which a link, from a plurality of links between the gateway device and a switch, changes from an inactive configuration to an active configuration, an indication to load balance a plurality of active sessions associated with a network node and the switch across the plurality of links, the plurality of active sessions including (1) a first plurality of active sessions between the network node and the switch and (2) a second plurality of active sessions between a plurality of virtual ports and the switch, each session from the second plurality of active sessions being associated with a session from the first plurality of active sessions;
• and
• in response to the indication:
• selecting a session from the first plurality of active sessions based on that session being associated with a greater number of sessions from the second plurality of active sessions than each remaining session from the first plurality of active sessions, and
• sending, from the gateway device to the switch, a login signal to initiate a reestablishment of that session from the first plurality of active sessions with the link from the plurality of links.