1. A protocol independent synchronous processor for processing network data, comprising: an execution control unit synchronous with an instruction clock signal, the execution control unit operable to execute an instruction per clock cycle of the instruction clock signal; an input interface configured so as to receive network data at a rate of one data word per clock cycle of the instruction clock signal; a plurality of configurable units synchronous with the instruction clock signal, the plurality of configurable units operable to process the received network data in substantially real time under control of the execution control unit; and wherein the execution control unit is operable to configure the plurality of configurable units in accordance with any selected network protocol of a plurality of predefined network protocols to process the received network data in substantially real time in a manner consistent with the selected network protocol.