Status batching and filtering in a media access control/host system interface unit

Claim 1

An interface system connected between a local area network communications medium and a network station for transferring information frames between the communications medium and a memory system associated with the network station, breakpoints being provided between information frames, the interface system comprising: a bus interface unit adapted for connection to the network station for transferring information frames between the interface system and the memory system; an indicate mechanism connected to the bus interface unit for transferring information frames received by the interface system from the communications medium to the memory system via the bus interface unit, the indicate mechanism including a burst transfer mechanism for transferring a burst of information frames to the system memory in a single transfer operation, wherein said burst consists of a plurality of individual information frames, the indicate mechanism further including a filter mechanism for, in the event that said burst consists of a plurality of identical information frames, causing the indicate mechanism to transfer only one of said identical information frames to the system memory; and an interrupt mechanism connected to the indicate mechanism, the interrupt mechanism providing a status interrupt to the network station only at breakpoints for new information frames.