Abstract: One embodiment relates to a method of communicating a data packet stream in which data is re-packed to reduce wasted bandwidth. Data bytes of the data packet stream are received from a first data path and mapped to a second data path that is divided into a plurality of data segments. At least one data byte is mapped to each data segment until an end of, or pause in, the data packet stream. Another embodiment relates to a method of communicating data packets from multiple channels. Multiple data packet flows, each flow corresponding to a channel, is received on a first data path. The data bytes from the first data path are mapped to a second data path that is divided into multiple data segments. At least one data byte is mapped to each data segment until an end of, or pause in, the multiple data packet flows. Other embodiments, aspects, and features of the invention are also disclosed.