Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for graceful insertion and removal of at a data link layer of an open systems interconnection model (OSI Model). In one aspect, the method comprises: establishing connections to at least two ports on a first side of a link to create a link aggregation group managed using link aggregation control protocol (LACP), wherein the link aggregation group constitutes a transmit path from the first side of the link to the second side of the link. A partner device may receive, from a first port of the at least two ports, a first message, wherein the first message indicates that the first port will become unavailable to receive traffic.