Abstract: A network protocol processing circuit for processing TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) tasks include first and second circuit portions. The first circuit portion has a plurality of protocol modules implemented in hardware. The second circuit portion has a controller operated by software. The TCP/IP tasks are partitioned and classified into critical and non-critical tasks. The hardware-implemented first circuit portion processes the critical tasks while the software-operated second circuit portion tackles the non-critical tasks, which includes directly bidirectionally transferring data between the network protocol processing circuit and an externally attached media device without passing through any external host processor.