Abstract: A communication system for communication of data packets associated with a packet switched network is disclosed herein. The system includes a port processor, a segmentation and reassembly device, and a host processor. The port processor communicates data packets to and from at least one communication device and at least one destination. The segmentation and reassembly device routes data packets to and from the port processor and the at least one destination. The host processor establishes a virtual circuit between the port processor and the segmentation and reassembly device. The host processor further directs the port processor to communicate data traffic to the segmentation and reassembly device via the virtual circuit, whereby the port processor and segmentation and reassembly device exchange data directly via the virtual circuit without per-packet handling by the host processor of all data traffic.