Distributing packets from an input link to multiple output links involves categorizing each incoming packet, selecting a mapping algorithm based on the packet category, and using the selected mapping algorithm for each packet to determine an output link for the respective packet. If packets are from a category that requires the order of the packets to be maintained, then the selected mapping algorithm causes packets from the same set of packets to be distributed to the same output link. If packets are from a category that does not require the order of the packets to be maintained, then the selected mapping algorithm can cause packets to be distributed more evenly among the multiple output links. Hashing can be used to distribute in-order packets from the same set to the same output link. Load balancing and round-robin distribution can be used to distribute out-of-order packets more evenly across the output links.