MEMORY MANAGEMENT IN A NETWORK ADAPTER

A method and system for processing a received network packet includes providing a network adapter using a predetermined number of buffer sets in a buffer queue. A buffer queue with a plurality of buffer sets less than the predetermined number of buffer sets is provided. Each buffer set includes a plurality of buffers to store and retrieve data indicative of the storage location of the received packet. A buffer set is assigned to store data. After all the data from the assigned buffer set is retrieved, the buffer set is released to the buffer queue for subsequent assignment.