1. A method for controlling a first multiple context processing element (MCPE) of a plurality of MCPEs, the first MCPE having network ports which connect the plurality of MCPEs to the first MCPE, the first MCPE being configured to store one of a plurality of contexts, the method comprising: receiving information in the first MCPE from at least one MCPE_of said plurality of MCPEs; selecting one of the plurality of contexts in the first MCPE in response to the received information and configuration information, wherein the plurality of contexts includes a plurality of major contexts of configuration memory which describe the operation of the first MCPE, each major context including a plurality of minor contexts of configurations of the network ports of the first MCPE; the selected one of the plurality of contexts being configured to control the first MCPE.