Method and apparatus for using dual free link lists to manage packet memory

摘要

A method includes using dual free link lists and may be extendable to use more than two free link lists in managing a packet memory. The method includes providing a multi-port link memory. The link memory contains pointers to storage locations in the packet memory that is to be managed. The method provides for maintaining dual free link lists of free pointers in the link memory pointing to free locations in the packet memory. The free links when used appear as separate linked sets of pointers to storage locations in a packet memory which contains packet data.