1. A network path selection method comprising: maintaining a network topology repository comprising a plurality of nodes and a plurality of links interconnecting the nodes, the network topology further comprising a weighted BE (best effort) connection metric for each of the plurality of links; to determine a path from a source to a destination having a requested BE service volume: a) creating a virtual topology in which all links have weighted BE metrics updated to include the effects of the requested BE service volume; b) identifying a best path through the virtual topology taking into account the weighted BE metrics.