Distributed link descriptor memory

An apparatus comprising:

• one or more computing processors;
• one or more non-transitory computer readable media storing a program of instructions that is executable by the one or more computing processors to perform:
• receiving a request for buffering a current transfer data unit (“TDU”) in a sequence of TDUs that belong to a current protocol data unit (PDU);
• generating a current PDU link descriptor (PLD), for the current PDU, in a first memory instance in a plurality of memory instances of a distributed link descriptor memory (“DLDM”) in a networking device, wherein the DLDM includes a plurality of memory instances each of which, when used, stores a PLD or a cell link descriptor (“CLD”);
• generating a current CLD in a second memory instance in the plurality of memory instances of the same DLDM;
• storing current address information in connection with the current TDU in an address data field within the current CLD.

One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more computing devices, cause performance of:

• receiving a request for buffering a current transfer data unit (“TDU”) in a sequence of TDUs that belong to a current protocol data unit (PDU);
• generating a current PDU link descriptor (PLD), for the current PDU, in a first memory instance in a plurality of memory instances of a distributed link descriptor memory (“DLDM”) in a networking device, wherein the DLDM includes a plurality of memory instances each of which, when used, stores a PLD or a cell link descriptor (“CLD”);
• generating a current CLD in a second memory instance in the plurality of memory instances of the same DLDM;
• storing current address information in connection with the current TDU in an address data field within the current CLD.