An apparatus for improving the management of data packets received from a network comprises a receiver for receiving data packets, a first storage unit for storing data packets, a counter for storing a count value, a second storage unit for storing a threshold value, and a comparator for comparing the count value against the threshold value wherein when count value reaches the threshold value, the apparatus issues a first event. A method for improving the management of data packets received from a network comprises receiving a data packet from the network, transferring the data packet into at least one data buffer, monitoring the number of unavailable descriptors, comparing the number of unavailable descriptors with a threshold value, and triggering a first event when the count value reaches the threshold value.