Patent ID: 6112252
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A method of transferring a packet of data from a computer network communications media through an adapter to a host computer, said method comprising the steps of:a) receiving from said communications media through a transceiver and storing in an adapter receive buffer a predetermined first receive threshold number of bytes of said packet, wherein said adapter receive buffer has a predetermined size;b) thereupon generating a first early receive interrupt from said adapter to said host computer;c) thereafter receiving from said communications media through said transceiver and storing in said adapter receive buffer a remainder of said packet;d) if additional bytes of a data packet are received from said communications media through said transceiver and stored in said adapter receive buffer while said adapter receive buffer contains allotted bytes of at least one packet not yet completely transferred to said host computer, such that the total number of allotted bytes in said adapter receive buffer is equal to said size of said adapter receive buffer less a predetermined adapter receive buffer free byte threshold, initiating a direct memory access (DMA) mode; ande) receiving from said communications media through said transceiver and storing in a host computer receive buffer through DMA additional bytes of data.