1. A load balancing apparatus for a data communications network, the apparatus comprising: hash logic for computing a hash function on incoming data packets; and a threshold detector connected to the hash logic for triggering, in response to utilization of downstream objects exceeding a predefined threshold, redefinition in the hash logic of parameters of the hash function from a first set of parameters to a second set of parameters for redistributing the data packets amongst the downstream objects; wherein, the hash logic, in use, has means for directing the packets for routing to downstream objects in the network via a first routing path based on a hash computation using the first set of parameters, and, if the threshold is exceeded, for selectively directing the packets to one of the first routing path and a second routing path in dependence on separate hash computations using the first and the second sets of parameters for subsequent routing of the packets via the selected one of the first and second routing paths based on the results of one of the separate hash computations.