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 can be distributed among multiple processors for efficient processing. A user may select from among multiple configuration options, each configuration option being associated with a particular mode of processing information received. By selecting a configuration option, the user may specify how received information 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.