A downstream device in a network may monitor and collect data on its condition, including detecting overload conditions, and transmit such data to an upstream network device. The upstream network device may select a best downstream device for a particular traffic flow based on condition data received from downstream devices and transmit the traffic flow to the selected downstream device. A network management server may be configured to perform similar functions, instructing network devices on how to transport data through a network based on condition data received from such devices.