1. A scalable network gateway processor architecture comprising: a) a scalable array of compute processors implementing a protocol processing function to convert inbound data packets to outbound data packets; b) an ingress processor coupleable to a first network to receive said inbound data packets and coupled to provide said inbound data packets to said scalable array of compute processors, said ingress processor distributing said inbound data packet to said scalable array of compute processors based on a least load value selected from current load values determined for the respective compute processors of said scalable array of compute processors; and c) an egress processor coupleable to a second network and coupled to said scalable array of compute processors to collect outbound data packets from said scalable array of compute processors and send said outbound data packets to said second network.