Abstract: In a data processing system, the effective speed of transferring data packets between a data processing unit and various other devices with different performance characteristics is improved by a data transfer method and a packing and buffering device, thus offloading the data processing unit or the various devices. FIFO buffers provide intermediate storage of transfer data, and packing and unpacking modules ensure efficient use of bus widths that are different on the data processing side and the device side. Data packet transfer control is effected using a control and status module with a common byte counter, and a direct transfer is facilitated via a supplementary direct data path between the data processing unit and other devices.