Apparatus (110) for configuring network equipment or devices (101a-101n) during runtime is particularly applicable to network equipment based on QorIQ (trade mark) communication platforms for DPAA (Data Path Acceleration Architecture) optimization purposes and provides a way maintaining an optimal configuration which can change over time acccording to real traffic conditions. The invention may be implemented with any kind of adaptation algorithm for targeting different DPAA features. A flow characteristic function is determined from collected traffic statistics for a multiplicity of traffic flows classified by a common property such as protocol or destination or source. Flow properties are characterized over time, past present and future prediction and in relation to other existing flows based on assigned priorities. A computed flow characteristic function represents the basis for all adaptation algorithms which may be implemented in order to optimize the various DPAA features. In contrast with conventional methods which adapt traffic to system constraints, the apparatus of the present invention itself continuously adapts to traffic dynamics in order to maintain an optimal configuration over an extended period of time.