Network adaptor configured for connection establishment offload

摘要

Coupling circuitry couples a network to a host. The host operating system is configured for transfer of data between the host and at least one peer via the network using at least one stateful connection to a peer according to a connection-oriented protocol. The coupling circuitry processes received connection attempt indications by attempting to establish a stateful connection to an indicated peer. For a genuine attempt by a peer to establish a stateful connection with the host, the coupling circuitry interoperates with the peer to perform establishment-phase protocol processing of the attempted stateful connection. For each of the established stateful connections, the coupling circuitry operates to cause a state of that established stateful connection to be provided from the coupling circuitry to the host, wherein the operating system of the host handles data transfer phase protocol processing of that established stateful connection.