In a method for processing packets in a network device, a first packet is received at a first port of the network device. A first set of bits, corresponding to a first set of bit locations in a header of the first packet, is extracted from the header of the first packet. A first set of processing operations is performed to process the first packet using the first set of bits. A second packet is received at a second port of the network device. A second set of bits, corresponding to a second set of bit locations in a header of the second packet, is extracted from the header of the second packet. A second set of processing operations is performed to process the second packet using the second set of bits.