Patent ID: 7401126

Claim:
An integrated circuit functioning as a network interface adapter, comprising: a plurality of media access controllers (MACs), for transceiving packets; a local bus interface, for performing addressed data transfers on a local bus coupled thereto; a bus router, for performing transport layer operations between said plurality of MACs and said local bus interface; a memory, shared by said plurality of MACs, said local bus interface, and said bus router, for buffering data received thereby; and a transaction switch, coupled to said memory, said plurality of MACs, said local bus interface, and said bus router, for switching data and transactions therebetween; wherein said bus router is configured to write a packet header into said memory via said transaction switch along with addressed data stored in said memory by said local bus interface to create a packet; wherein said local bus interface is configured to read a payload portion of a packet stored in said memory and to transmit said payload portion on said local bus coupled thereto; wherein said payload portion is located in said memory at an offset specified in a transaction posted by said bus router to said local bus interface via said transaction switch.