Abstract: A buffer ring is utilized to track and control the distribution of information. Index variables that refer to storage locations or slots in the buffer ring are utilized to track the receipt and distribution of information. The variables initially point to the same slot. As information is received a status indicator associated the slot is checked and if the location is free either the product information elements or addresses of where the product information are entered in the slots. They are tracked by a producer variable that is incremented to indicate the next available slot. Slots between the consumer variable and the producer variable define a segment of the buffer associated with a particular thread. The information is forwarded to a thread based upon the variables. As product information elements are forwarded control of the buffer ring is obtained and the variables determine a buffer segment that is forwarded.

Abstract: A method for providing efficient use of a transmit engine in transmitting packet directing information. In one embodiment, two linked lists are used to submit packets and packet directing information to a transmit engine. When there is no packet to send, both lists are marked as free. When software desires to send a packet to hardware, the packet is placed on the first linked list. Software marks the first linked list as busy. If the transmit engine is not busy with the second linked list, software will start the transmit engine utilizing the first linked list. While the first linked list is marked as busy, all additional packets are directed to the second linked list. When the packets of the first linked list have been sent, software marks the first linked list as free.