Data transfer method and apparatus that allocate storage based upon a received relative offset

A method of using a frame sequence to transmit a data block from a transmitting device to a receiving device, comprising the steps of:

• generating a first frame of said frame sequence that includes a last portion of said data block and a relative offset which indicates a relative displacement between a first portion of said data block and said last portion of said data block;
• generating a second frame of said frame sequence that includes said first portion of said data block;
• transmitting said first frame of said frame sequence from said transmitting device to said receiving device before transmitting said second frame;
• receiving said first frame of said frame sequence from said transmitting device before receiving said second frame;
• and
• allocating a storage area for said data block, said storage area having a storage capacity that is based on said relative offset of said first frame.

A network device for receiving a data packet transmitted in a frame sequence, comprising:

• a network connector operable to (i) couple to a network, and (ii) receive said frame sequence from said network, said frame sequence including a first frame having a last portion of said data packet and a relative offset which indicates a relative displacement between a first portion of said data packet and said last portion of said data packet;
• a storage device operable to store said data packet received by said network connector;
• and
• a controller coupled to said storage device and said network connector, said controller operable to (i) receive from said network connector said first frame of said frame sequence including said relative offset, and (ii) allocate a storage area of said storage device for said data packet, said storage area having a storage capacity that is based upon said relative offset.