Per-input port, per-control plane network data traffic class control plane policing

A method comprising:

• receiving control plane network data at an input port of a network element, wherein the control plane network data is data that is processed by the control plane;
• classifying the control plane network data based on characteristics of the control plane network data;
• storing the control plane network data in one of a plurality of output queues for the input port based on a class of the control plane network data;
• and
• forwarding control plane network data from a selected one of the plurality of output queues to a control plane of the network element.

A network element comprising:

• an input port to receive control plane network data, wherein the control plane network data is data that is processed by the control plane;
• a processor coupled with the input port, the processor configured to:
• classify the control plane network data based on characteristics of the control plane network data;
• store the control plane network data in one of a plurality of output queues for the input port based on a class of the control plane network data, and
• forward control plane network data from a selected one of the plurality of output queues to a control plane of the network element.