Methods, apparatus, and computer platforms and architectures employing node aware network interfaces are disclosed. The methods and apparatus may be implemented on computer platforms such as those employing a Non-uniform Memory Access (NUMA) architecture including a plurality of nodes, each node comprising a plurality of components including a processor having at least one level of memory cache and being operatively coupled to system memory and operatively coupled to a NUMA aware Network Interface Controller (NIC). Under one method, a packet is received from a network at a first NIC comprising a component of a first node, and a determination is made that packet data for the packet is to be forwarded to a second node including a second NIC. The packet data is then forwarded from the first NIC to the second NIC via a NIC-to-NIC interconnect link. Upon being received at the second NIC, processing of the packet (data) is handled as if the packet was received from the network at the second NIC.