A network interface device connected to a host provides hardware and
processing mechanisms for accelerating data transfers between the host
and a network. Some data transfers are processed using a dedicated
fast-path whereby the protocol stack of the host performs no network
layer or transport layer processing. Other data transfers are, however,
handled in a slow-path by the host protocol stack. In one embodiment, the
host protocol stack has an ISCSI layer, but a response to a solicited
ISCSI read request command is nevertheless processed by the network
interface device in fast-path. In another embodiment, an initial portion
of a response to a solicited command is handled using the dedicated
fast-path and then after an error condidtion occurs a subsequent portion
of the response is handled using the the slow-path. The interface device
uses a command status message to communicate status to the host.