Embodiments generally provide techniques for load balancing data transmitted between line cards across a network fabric. Embodiments receive, at a first line card within a modular Ethernet switch, data to be transmitted to a second line card within the modular Ethernet switch. A mask table is accessed using a value corresponding to the second line card as an index in order to retrieve a mask value. Embodiments select one of a plurality of links for the first line card for use in transmitting the data, based on a load balancing algorithm and the retrieved mask value. The data is then transmitted to the second line card using the selected link.