Link aggregation group (LAG) link allocation

1. A method for indirect link aggregation group (LAG) link allocation, the method comprising:

at a LAG controller, indirectly monitoring status information associated with a LAG by receiving the status information from a first network node that is indirectly connected to the LAG via a second network node;

at the first network node, utilizing the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation, wherein utilizing the status information includes receiving, from the LAG controller, path assignment information indicating how path identifiers are to be assigned to packets, wherein utilizing the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation includes selecting the path identifiers for the packets, including the path identifiers in the packets, and sending the packets; and

at the second network node separate from the first network node, receiving the packets and allocating LAG links to the packets based on the path identifiers, wherein the second network node is connected to the LAG.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the status information associated with the LAG includes link utilization information, error related information, maintenance information, performance information, priority information, operator preference information, or user preference information.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein allocating LAG links to the packets based on the path identifiers includes determining, using the path identifiers and forwarding information, corresponding LAG links, and sending, via the corresponding LAG links, the packets.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein monitoring the status information associated with the LAG includes receiving at least some of the status information using a software defined network (SDN) related protocol.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the link utilization information includes a bandwidth consumption value associated with the LAG, a bandwidth availability value associated with the LAG, or a utilization percentage or rate associated with the LAG.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first network node includes a network switch, a network router, a network device, the LAG controller, an endpoint, a hypervisor, a virtual machine (VM), or a server.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the path identifiers includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier, a path label, or a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) label.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein each LAG link corresponds to one or more of the path identifiers.

9. A system for indirect link aggregation group (LAG) link allocation, the system comprising:

a LAG controller configured to indirectly monitor status information associated with a LAG by receiving the status information from a first network node that is indirectly connected to the LAG via a second network node;

the first network node configured to utilize the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation, wherein utilizing the status information includes receiving, from the LAG controller, path assignment information indicating how path identifiers are to be assigned to packets, wherein utilizing the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation includes selecting the path identifiers for the packets, including the path identifiers in the packets, and sending the packets; and

the second network node separate from the first network node, wherein the second network node is configured to receive the packets and to allocate LAG links to the packets based on the path identifiers, wherein the second network node is connected to the LAG.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the status information associated with the LAG includes link utilization information, error related information, maintenance information, performance information, priority information, operator preference information, or user preference information.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the second network node is configured to determine, using the path identifiers and forwarding information, corresponding LAG links, and to send, via the corresponding LAG links, the packets.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the LAG controller is configured to receive at least some of the status information using a software defined network (SDN) related protocol.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the link utilization information includes a bandwidth consumption value associated with the LAG, a bandwidth availability associated with the LAG, or a utilization percentage or rate associated with the LAG.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein the first network node is implemented at a network switch, a network router, a network device, the LAG controller, an endpoint, a hypervisor, a virtual machine (VM), or a server.

15. The system of claim 9 wherein the path identifiers includes a virtual local area network (VLAN) identifier, a path label, or a multiprotocol label switching (MPLS) label.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein each LAG link corresponds to one or more of the path identifiers.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions embodied in the non-transitory computer readable medium that when executed by at least one processor perform steps comprising:

at a LAG controller, indirectly monitoring status information associated with a LAG by receiving the status information from a first network node that is indirectly connected to the LAG via a second network node;

at the first network node, utilizing the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation, wherein utilizing the status information includes receiving, from the LAG controller, path assignment information indicating how path identifiers are to be assigned to packets, wherein utilizing the status information to set path identifiers in packets for controlling LAG allocation includes selecting the path identifiers for the packets, including the path identifiers in the packets, and sending the packets; and

at the second network node separate from the first network node, receiving the packets and allocating LAG links to the packets based on the path identifiers, wherein the second network node is connected to the LAG.