Messaging network for processing data using multiple processor cores

A method, comprising:

• receiving, at a messaging network from a first communication port from among at least two communication ports, at least two packets of packet data for respective processing by the at least two processor cores, the messaging network being associated with the at least two processor cores and the at least two communication ports;
• transmitting, from the messaging network to the at least two processor cores, the at least two packets of packet data for the respective processing,
• receiving, at the messaging network from the at least two processor cores, at least two processed packets of packet data, and
• transmitting, from the messaging network to a second communication port from among the at least two communication ports, the at least two processed packets of packet data.

A processor, comprising:

• at least two processor cores, the at least two processor cores including at least two data caches and at least two instruction caches;
• a data switch arrangement coupled to the at least two data caches of the at least two processor cores, the data switch arrangement being configured to transfer information among the at least two processor cores;
• and
• a messaging network configured to:
• receive, from a first communication port, at least two packets of packet data for respective processing by the at least two processor cores,
• transmit, to the at least two processor cores, the at least two packets of packet data for the respective processing,
• receive, from the at least two processor cores, at least two processed packets of packet data, and
• transmit the at least two processed packets of packet data to a second communication port.