1. A cluster compute server comprising: a fabric interconnect; a first node coupled to the fabric interconnect and comprising a network interface controller coupleable to an external network; a second node coupled to the fabric interconnect and comprising a fabric interface to provide a set of one or more virtual network interface controllers representing the network interface controller of the first node, the one or more virtual network interface controllers each appearing as a local network interface controller to software executed at the second node; wherein the first node is to emulate one or more link aggregation partners for the set of one or more virtual network interface controllers by transmitting a reply link aggregation message to the virtual network interface controller in response to a link aggregation message received from the virtual network interface controller and by periodically transmitting link aggregation messages to the virtual network interface controller; and wherein in response to aggregating a corresponding virtual network interface controller into a link aggregation group, the second node is to periodically transmit link aggregation messages to the first node via the virtual network interface controller to signal an intent to maintain the virtual network interface controller in the link aggregation group.