Patent ID: 7660908

Claim:
A method for implementing virtual packet storage via packet work area in a network processor system comprising the steps of: providing a mapping area for virtual packet storage, said mapping area including a packet work area (PWA) providing packet data access and virtual addressing to a packet and a corresponding set of packet segment registers; defining an area of system address space for storing said packet work area (PWA); said area of system address space including a continuous area in real memory, providing a packet translation unit for translating a PWA address into a physical address; loading a Packet ID (PID) into one of said packet segment registers; mapping packet data for said PID into said PWA at a PWA address; said PWA address defining an offset into the packet; said PWA enabling said packet data access and virtual addressing without identifying hardware buffer size or hardware allocation; said packet translation unit translating said PWA address into said physical address and redirecting loads and stores of said PWA into at least one data buffer in a system memory.