1. A network device comprising: a plurality of ports for receiving and forwarding data traffic; a first processing entity and a second processing entity configurable to process the data traffic for forwarding; the first processing entity further configurable to transmit a packet comprising destination information, the destination information comprising a destination identifier and role identification information, the destination identifier identifying a set of one or more destinations, the role identification information identifying a role; the second processing entity further configurable to: receive the packet; determine, based upon the destination information of the packet, that the second processing entity is an intended recipient for the packet if the second processing entity is identified by the destination identifier and the second processing entity operates in a first role specified by role identification information; and transmit an acknowledgment packet to the first processing entity, upon determining that the second processing entity is the intended recipient; and the first processing entity further configurable to release resources associated with the packet after receiving the acknowledgement packet for the packet.