1. A system for controlling packet classification behavior of a plurality of heterogeneous network processors in a network, the network also including at least one host processor utilizing at least one packet classification application, the system comprising: a plurality of generic application program interfaces (APIs) communicating with the at least one packet classification application and the plurality of heterogeneous network processors, the plurality of generic APIs for communicating with the at least one packet classification application in the at least one host processor in a network processor independent manner, the plurality of generic APIs managing the packet classification behavior of the plurality of heterogeneous network processors in a network processor specific manner; wherein the plurality of generic APIs allow the at least one packet classification application to be network processor independent and to manage the packet classification behavior of the plurality of heterogeneous network processors in the network processor specific manner.