re:TCP/IP software overhead ?

From: Nayanip (nps_at_spectrasmart-dot-com.no-spam.invalid)
Date: 03/28/05 

Date: Mon, 28 Mar 2005 01:59:10 -0600

Hello,
I happened to see this thread only today and therefore a very belated
query. I am currently developing firmware for networking application.
For small to medium LAN networks, only hubs are used and thefore the
traffic not meant is also sent on the copper. How to filter this
unwanted packets without the processor spending its resources, which
will contribute to processor overhead? I some times keep wondering
the very purpose of MAC address, if all the data gets into the
receive buffer?

Any comments will be highly appreciated. Thank you.

Nayani P