| 摘要 |
A bus interface and method allow a special purpose processor and other components on a bus to efficiently communicate with a network controller. The interface and protocol support a variety of functions, including the ability to directly indicate to the network controller whether received data packets are destined for an external network entity, such as an external Ethernet controller, or for local computer memory. Additionally, the network controller can cut-off packets of data in mid-transfer to the network controller, and then later, at the command of the network controller, the data transfer may be resumed at the point within the packet at which it line was cut-off. Separate signal lines are used to inform the network controller of the general destination of the received data packets. In particular, a Transmit Request line is used to inform the network controller that data received from the special purpose processor is destined for the external network and a Loopback Request line is used to inform the network controller that data received from the special purpose processor is destined for internal computer memory.
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