A network switch configures a static forwarding to a packet processor by suppressing packet switching and forwards all traffic received on a group of ports a trunk port for aggregation. A trunk header is overloaded with message classification information for use at the downstream packet processor. Routing logic retrieves the packet classification information and stores the information in control fields that are ignored due to the static forwarding and local switching disablement. The static forwarding forwards the packet, with the appended classification information, to a packet processor via the aggregation port. Packet classification information is indicative of the type of the message traffic and is performed upon packet arrival at the switching device. The packet processor reads the classification information from the overloaded control fields, rather then expending processing resources to determine the classification, and sends the message packet on an ingress port to a switching fabric for further transport.