Embodiments of the invention may improve the performance of multi-processor systems in processing information received via a network. For example, some embodiments may enable configuration of a system such that information received via a network may be distributed among multiple processors for efficient processing. A user (e.g., system administrator) may select from among multiple configuration options, each configuration option being associated with a particular mode of processing information received via a network. By selecting a configuration option, the user may specify how information received via the network is processed to capitalize on the system's characteristics, such as by aligning processors on the system with certain NICs. As such, the processor(s) aligned with a NIC may perform networking-related tasks associated with information received by that NIC. If initial alignment causes one or more processors to become over-burdened, processing tasks may be dynamically re-distributed to other processors so as to achieve a more even distribution of the overall processing burden across the system.