Using available bandwidths of an IP fabric to intelligently distribute data

A first network device of a plurality of network devices forming an Internet protocol (IP) fabric, the first network device comprising:

• a plurality of network interfaces communicatively coupled to at least a third network device and a fourth network device of the plurality of network devices between the first network device and a second network device of the plurality of network devices;
• and
• one or more hardware-based processors configured to:
• determine available bandwidths for the third network device and the fourth network device toward the second network device,
• determine a ratio between the available bandwidths for the third network device and the fourth network device, and
• forward data toward the second network device according to the ratio, such that a ratio between amounts of the data forwarded to the third network device and the fourth network device corresponds to the ratio between the available bandwidths, wherein to forward the data, the one or more hardware-based processors are configured to:
• forward an integer number M units of data to the third network device;
• and
• forward an integer number N units of data to the fourth network device,
• such that the ratio M:N is equal to the ratio between the available bandwidths.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a processor of a first network device of a plurality of network devices forming an Internet protocol (IP) fabric to:

• determine available bandwidths for at least a third network device and a fourth network device of the plurality of network devices to which the first network device is communicatively coupled, wherein the available bandwidths comprise respective available bandwidths from the third network device and the fourth network device toward a second network device of the plurality of network devices;
• determine a ratio between the available bandwidths for the third network device and the fourth network device;
• and
• forward data toward the second network device according to the ratio, such that a ratio between amounts of the data forwarded to the third network device and the fourth network device corresponds to the ratio between the available bandwidths, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to forward the data comprise instructions that cause the processor to:
• forward an integer number M units of data to the third network device;
• and
• forward an integer number N units of data to the fourth network device, such that the ratio M:N is equal to the ratio between the available bandwidths.