Abstract: An ATM communications system. The system includes an ATM network on which ATM cells of ATM packets travel. The system includes a host having a host memory mechanism preferably having cache lines which stores the cells. The system includes an interface having a receive memory mechanism which stores a partial packet comprising a plurality of cells received from the ATM network. The receive memory mechanism aligns with the host memory mechanism so every transfer from the receive memory mechanism of the plurality of cells to the host memory mechanism fills the host memory mechanism along cache lines of the host memory mechanism. The interface has a bus which connects to the host on which communication between the host and the interface occurs. The interface is connected to the ATM network. A method for sending ATM cells over an ATM network. An interface for a host to receive ATM cells from an ATM communication network.

Abstract: The method includes the steps of receiving new information about the node. Then, there is the step of comparing the new information about the node with old information about the node. Then, there is the step of updating the old information with the new information by incrementing the old information with the new information. A method for monitoring an other node. The method includes the steps of storing an old packet from an other node having at least a first element in a memory of a node. Then, there is the step of receiving a new packet from the other node having at least a first element by the node. Next there is the step of comparing the first element of the new packet with the first element of the old packet. Then there is the step of inserting the first element of the new packet in an order which is in front of the first element of the old packet in the memory if the first element of the new packet is different than the first element of the old packet.