A multi-port serial buffer having a plurality of queues is configured to include a first set of queues assigned to store write data associated with a first port, and a second set of queues assigned to store write data associated with a second port. The available queues are user-assignable to either the first set or the second set. Write operations to the first set of queues can be performed in parallel with write operations to the second programmable set of queues. In addition, a first predetermined set of queues is assigned to the first port for read operations, and a second predetermined set of queues is assigned to the second port for read operations. Data can be read from the first predetermined set of queues to the first port at the same time that data is read from the second predetermined set of queues to the second port.