Abstract: Input/Output (I/O) protocol operations such as iSCSI protocol operations may be selectively offloaded to an I/O protocol offload device, or retained by a host driver software. In one embodiment, iSCSI data transfer functions are offloaded to an offload device while session and connection establishing and maintenance operations are retained by host driver software. Other features are described and claimed.

Abstract: Provided are techniques for processing a data segment by stripping a header from a transport layer segment, performing protocol data unit detection to determine data for a protocol segment that is part of the transport layer segment data, and performing marker validation and stripping. Also provided are techniques for processing a data segment in which a header portion of a protocol data unit is received. A number of bytes of data to be stored in an application space is determined using the received header portion. Also, a next header portion of a next protocol data unit is determined using the received header portion. Then, a peek command is issued to obtain the next header portion. Additionally provided are techniques for performing cyclic redundancy checks using a stored partial cyclic redundancy check digest and residual data.