Overload functionality in overlay networks

A network device, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• at least one module operable by the at least one processor to:
• execute an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) to exchange link-state messages with at least one remote network device included a link-state domain that includes the network device;
• generate an IGP link-state message that includes link overload information to overload a link that couples the network device to the remote network device in the link-state domain;
• and
• send, to the at least one other network device, the IGP link-state message that includes the link overload information to direct the remote network device to stop sending network traffic to the network device using the overloaded link.

A computer-readable medium comprising instructions for causing at least one programmable processor of a network device to:

• execute an Interior Gateway Protocol (IGP) to exchange link-state messages with at least one remote network device included a link-state domain that includes the network device;
• generate an IGP link-state message that includes link overload information to overload a link that couples the network device to the remote network device in the link-state domain;
• and
• send, to the at least one other network device, the IGP link-state message that includes the link overload information to direct the remote network device to stop sending network traffic to the network device using the overloaded link.