Method and system for processing packets received from a network is provided. The system includes an adapter having a processing module that separates a header of a network packet from data, forwards the header to a host system and stores data associated with the network packet in a memory device of the network adapter. The host system processes the header and determines a destination for the network packet data. The method includes determining header boundary in a network packet, wherein an adapter coupled to a host system determines the header boundary; ending header information to the host system; and storing data associated with the network packet in a memory device of the adapter.