Efficient handling of messages, data and keys in media access layers for network communications

A method of conveying messages between a first processor and a second processor, where the first processor is an upper media-access-control processor and the second processor is a lower media-access-control processor of a messaging system, the messaging system comprising a first mailbox storage assigned to receive a message for the first processor from the second processor, a second mailbox storage assigned to receive a message for the second processor from the first processor, a first lock indicator having a first state to indicate that the first mailbox storage can receive a message and a second state to indicate that the first mailbox storage cannot receive a message, and a second lock indicator having a first state to indicate that the second mailbox storage can receive a message and a second state to indicate that the second mailbox storage cannot receive a message, said method comprising:

• (a) the second processor reading the state of the first lock indicator, storing a first message in the first mailbox storage if the first lock indicator is in its first state, and thereafter setting the first lock indicator to its second state;
• (b) the first processor reading the first message from the first mailbox storage and thereafter setting the first lock indicator to its first state;
• (c) the first processor reading the state of the second lock indicator, storing a second message in the second mailbox storage if the second lock indicator is in its first state, and thereafter setting the second lock indicator to its second state;
• and
• (d) the second processor reading the second message from the second mailbox storage and thereafter setting the second lock indicator to its first state.