Abstract: Systems and methods for queuing and de-queuing packets in a two-dimensional link list data structure. A network processor processes data for transmission for a plurality of Virtual Connections (VCs). The processor creates a two-dimensional link list data structure for each VC. The data field of each data packet is stored in one or more buffer memories. Each buffer memory has an associated buffer descriptor that includes a pointer to the location of the buffer memory, and a pointer pointing to the memory of the next buffer descriptor associated with a buffer memory storing data for the same packet. Each data packet also has an associated packet descriptor including a pointer pointing to the memory location of the first buffer descriptor associated with that packet, and a pointer pointing to the memory location of the packet descriptor associated with the next data packet queued for transmission.

Abstract: The present invention provides application programming interfaces (APIs) which allow a host to control the functioning of a network processor and also perform various network data manipulation functions. The APIs are intended to encapsulate as much as possible the underlying messaging between the host system and the network processor and to hide the low device level command details from the host. The APIs are provided by a program module. A host may invoke an API which is then communicated by the program module to the network processor where functions corresponding to the API are performed. Responses to the APIs may be forwarded back to the host. Asynchronous callback functions, invoked in response to the API calls, may be used to forward responses to the host.