Coalescing packets based on hints generated by network adapter

A method for communication comprising:

• in a network node comprising a network adapter coupled to a communication network, the network node comprising a host comprising a processor running a client process and a communication stack,
• receiving by the network adapter packets from the communication network, and classifying the received packets into respective flows that are associated with respective chunks in a receive buffer;
• distributing payloads of the received packets among the chunks so that payloads of packets classified to a given flow are stored in a given chunk assigned to the given flow;
• and
• notifying the communication stack of the payloads in the given chunk, for transferring the payloads in the given chunk to the client process.

A network adapter, comprising:

• a network interface, configured to connect to a communication network;
• a host interface coupled to a host comprising a processor running a client process and a communication stack;
• and
• packet processing circuitry configured to:
• receive packets from the communication network, and classify the received packets into respective flows that are associated with respective chunks in a receive buffer;
• distribute payloads of the received packets among the chunks so that payloads of packets classified to a given flow are stored in a given chunk assigned to the given flow;
• and
• notify the communication stack of the payloads in the given chunk, for transferring the payloads in the given chunk to the client process.

A method for communication, comprising:

• in a network adapter that connects to a communication network, and to a host comprising a processor running a client process and a communication stack,
• receiving packets from the communication network, and classifying the received packets into respective flows that are associated with respective chunks in the receive buffer;
• distributing payloads of the received packets among the chunks so that payloads of packets classified to a given flow are stored in a given chunk assigned to the given flow;
• and
• notifying the communication stack of the payloads in the given chunk, for transferring the payloads in the given chunk to the client process.