A dedicated control path architecture for systems of devices, such as stacking systems, is provided. In one embodiment, a network device for use in a system of devices can comprise a CPU complex; a first set of ports for establishing a data path between the network device and other network devices in the system of devices; and a second set of ports for establishing a control path between the network device and the other network devices in the system of devices. The control path can be separate from the data path and can allow the CPU complex to exchange control plane traffic with other CPU complexes resident in the other network devices.