Method and structure for enqueuing data packets for processing

摘要

A method and structure is provided for buffering data packets having a header and a remainder in a network processor system. The network processor system has a processor on a chip and at least one buffer on the chip. Each buffer on the chip is configured to buffer the header of the packets in a preselected order before execution in the processor, and the remainder of the packet is stored in an external buffer apart from the chip. The method comprises utilizing the header information to identify the location and extent of the remainder of the packet. The entire selected packet is stored in the external buffer when the buffer of the stored header of the given packet is full, and moving only the header of a selected packet stored in the external buffer to the buffer on the chip when the buffer on the chip has space therefor.