An embodiment may include network controller to be comprised in a first node. The node may be communicatively coupled to a network and may include a host processor to execute an operating system environment. The operating system environment may include, at least in part, a communication protocol stack and an application. The circuitry may receive, at least in part, a packet from the network. The packet may include, at least in part, a header and payload. At least one portion of the payload may be associated with the application. The circuitry may issue at least one portion of the header to the stack. The circuitry may issue the at least one portion of the payload to a destination device in a manner that by-passes involvement of the stack. The destination device may be specified, at least in part, by the application. Many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible.