Methods and apparatus for path selection within a network based on flow duration

An apparatus, comprising:

• a forwarding module implemented in at least one of a memory or a processing device, the forwarding module configured to receive a plurality of first data packets having a common source identifier and a common destination identifier, the forwarding module configured to modify a data flow value in response to receiving each first data packet from the plurality of first data packets, the forwarding module configured to store each first data packet from the plurality of first data packets in a first output queue based on the data flow value not crossing a data flow threshold in response to the data flow value being modified by the forwarding module,
• the forwarding module configured to receive a second data packet having the common source identifier and the common destination identifier after receiving the plurality of first data packets, the forwarding module configured to modify the data flow value in response to receiving the second data packet such that the data flow value crosses the data flow threshold, the forwarding module configured to store the second data packet in a second output queue based on the data flow value having crossed the data flow threshold.