A network processor having bypass capability in which some data units are diverted from being processed by the processor core of the network processor. In one embodiment, a network processor may include a receiver to receive data units, configuration information used to evaluate whether the data units require processing, a processor core to process data units that require processing, a bypass store to hold those data units which do not require processing by the processor core, and a transmitter to transmit the data units. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving a plurality of data units, receiving configuration information, evaluating whether each of the data units requires processing based on the configuration information, bypassing processing those of the data units that do not require processing based on the evaluating, processing those of the data units that require processing based on the evaluating, and transmitting the data units.