A system and methods are shown for providing packet data serving node (PDSN) load balancing and fault tolerance. One exemplary method includes providing an access node with a plurality of packet data serving nodes and at least one system manager, receiving from a radio node on a first packet data serving node a registration request, determining that the first packet data serving node is unable to serve the registration request, and sending a packet data serving node selection request from the first packet data serving node to the system manager. The method further includes determining at the system manager a second packet data serving node to serve the registration request, and providing an address of the second packet data serving node to the first packet data serving node. The method further includes sending a registration reply message from the first packet data serving node to the radio node, where the registration reply message includes the address of the second packet data serving node.