Method and apparatus for non-speculative pre-fetch operation in data packet processing

In a data-packet processor, a system for non-speculative pre-fetching, comprising:

• a processing unit having a first portion for processing the data packets, using instruction threads specific to packet type, and a second portion comprising a pool of context registers and functional units for processing;
• a packet-management unit (PMU) for managing data packets of different types received for processing, including selecting and loading the context registers;
• a memory storing at least an initial instruction of instruction threads;
• and
• a table equating packet types with pointers to memory locations for the at least first instructions of instruction threads specific to the packet types;
• characterized in that the PMU selects a context from the pool of contexts for processing of a data packet, the table is consulted for the pointer, and the pointer is provided to the processing unit first portion, enabling the processing unit first portion to prefetch at least an initial instruction for the packet to be processed at least partially in parallel with loading of the context.