Processing data in a distributed routing system

A distributed routing system for use in a communication network comprising a plurality of forwarding modules, each including a respective CPU, and a plurality of fabric modules, and wherein at least one counter located at at least one respective fabric module is configured to receive data relating to number of packets being forwarded via physical and/or logical interfaces associated with at least two of the plurality of forwarding modules, thereby shifting load collection of the number of packets being forwarded via physical and/or logical interfaces associated with at least two of the plurality of forwarding modules from the CPUs of said at least two forwarding modules, to be collected by a software logic that runs on a respective fabric module, and consequently enabling offloading CPU intensive tasks from said forwarding modules to be carried out by the software logic that runs on said respective fabric module, while said distributed routing system still maintains its original functionalities.