Separating and isolating multiple network stacks in a network element may enable a network element to simultaneously operate within multiple forwarding planes respectively corresponding to the multiple network stacks. In addition to the network stack, other protocols and routing tools may also be instantiated for each desired forwarding plane. The different instantiations of the network stacks may be executed in parallel in respective memory spaces that are distinct and separate. In this manner, each forwarding plane may operate independently on the network element from other forwarding planes.