Abstract: A method and apparatus for offloading data path processing for the purpose of increasing the performance of a file server, is disclosed. The apparatus provides a direct data-path that avoids the need for a host-based file sharing (e.g., NFS, CIFS, etc.) protocol processing for most file system requests. As a result, data transfer rate is greatly accelerated and time-intensive processing tasks are diverted from the host CPU. The apparatus separates the control path from the data path. A preferred embodiment connects peripheral channels, such as SCSI or Fibre Channel to TCP/IP over Fast Ethernet.