A data processing apparatus comprises a plurality of processors and
message processing logic operable for establishing one of the processors
as a master processor and all other processors as slave processors;
receiving an application message from a particular message source among a
plurality of message sources coupled to one or more network interfaces
and the processors, wherein the application message comprises one or more
data frames, packets and segments; granting exclusive control of the
particular message source to a selected one of the slave processors;
assigning an ordered sequence number to the application message; granting
exclusive control, for a particular message destination among a plurality
of message destinations coupled to the network interfaces and the
processors, to the selected one of the slave processors; and providing
the application message to the particular message destination.