Buffer semaphore system and method

Abstract

A system and method are provided for securely buffering overhead messages in a network-connected integrated circuit. The method comprises: receiving messages including overhead bytes; collecting overhead bytes; creating a first overhead message from the collected overhead bytes; establishing a overhead message semaphore; and, saving the first overhead message until it is read, in response to the semaphore. Saving the first overhead message until it is read means not overwriting the first overhead message stored in the buffer until the buffer is read. Not overwriting the first overhead message stored in the buffer until the buffer is read includes the substeps of: setting the semaphore to the lock state; and, in response the semaphore lock state, not writing collected overhead bytes for a second overhead message to the buffer.