In one embodiment, a network device is disclosed. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises a processor and a core memory having a receive buffer and a transmit buffer. The device comprises a bus coupled to the processor and the core memory. The device comprises at least one co-processor coupled to the core memory via a direct link, wherein the at least one co-processor is capable of accessing at least one of: the receive buffer, or the transmit buffer, without assistance from the processor.