Distributing a stream of packets across available output paths within a network

A system for distributing packets of network traffic across available output paths within the network, the system comprising:

• means for extracting a distribution key from each packet;
• means for hashing the distribution key for each packet to generate a N-bit hash value for that packet;
• means for holding a distribution table;
• and
• means for selecting an output path for each packet from among the available output paths, where the selecting is based on addressing the holding means using all N bits of the hash value for each packet.

A method of distributing packets of network traffic across available output paths within the network, the method comprising:

• extracting a distribution key from each packet;
• hashing the distribution key to generate an N-bit hash value;
• and
• looking up the hash value within at least 2N indications of the available output paths to select an output path for each packet, where the looking up is based on all N bits of the hash value.

Computer readable media containing instructions that, when the instructions are executed by a system, control a process comprising:

• extracting a distribution key from each packet;
• hashing the distribution key to generate an N-bit hash value;
• and
• looking up the hash value within at least 2N indications of the available output paths to select an output path for each packet, where the looking up is based on all N bits of the hash value.