Linked list profiling and updating techniques define subsets of linked list entries that are executed upon various resource calls. The subsets are defined by linked list profiles. The techniques can add/remove linked list entries to/from these profiles in a flexible update manner, in which a profile table is used to store profiles, or in atomic manner, in which each linked list entry itself contains profile data. Implemented in a communication system network device, the techniques are used to define and update profiles of physical or virtual ports used for packet-based egress and ingress communications.