Method and structure for enqueuing data packets for processing

A method, comprising:

• receiving one or more data packets at an integrated chip having a processor thereon which processes and forwards data in data packets;
• determining a priority of each of the one or more received data packets via computer executable instructions executed by the processor, wherein each of the priorities is obtained from a control block of the corresponding data packet;
• determining if an on-chip buffer of a plurality of on-chip buffers for different priority located on the integrated chip, for the determined priority, has space available to store a header of the packet, for each received data packet;
• if space is available for the header, severing the header from the packet;
• storing the header in the on-chip;
• storing the remaining part of the packet in a corresponding off-chip buffer located external to the integrated chip;
• and writing data indicative of a location of the remaining part of the data packet in the off-chip buffer in the header;
• and
• if space is not available, storing the entire data packet in a corresponding off-chip buffer of a plurality of off-chip buffers for the different priority;
• and continuously checking a status of the on-chip buffer, and when space becomes available, severing the header from the packet;
• storing the header in the on-chip buffer;
• storing the remaining part of the packet in the corresponding off-chip buffer located external to the integrated chip;
• and writing data indicative of a location of the remaining part of the data packet in the off-chip buffer in the header;
• and
• processing the data packet by delivering any data of the data packet that is stored in the off-chip buffer to the processor, which processes and forwards the data packet to a destination external to the integrated chip.