Dynamically determining how many network packets to process

A packet quota value, which indicates a maximum number of network packets that a network appliance processes before switching to a different task, is modified. Log data, which includes multiple log entries spanning a time interval, is accessed. Each log entry includes a processing time that indicates how much time the network appliance spent performing network traffic tasks before switching to the different task. The log data is analyzed. Responsive to the analysis indicating that a current state of network traffic is heavier than a maximum state of network traffic that was observed during the time interval, the packet quota value is increased. Responsive to the analysis indicating that the current state of network traffic is lighter than a minimum state of network traffic that was observed during the time interval, the packet quota value is decreased.