A method and a switch element for buffer utilization in a network are provided. The method includes, receiving plural frames in a first buffer, if the received frames are less than a full size frame and can be accommodated in the first buffer; sending an available buffer signal after the first buffer has been utilized; and receiving a frame after the available buffer signal has been sent. The switch element includes, a port having a state machine that monitors buffer utilization by receiving plural frames in a first buffer. Also, a method for managing a receive queue for a network is provided. The method includes, copying a receive descriptor queue entry from a first location to another location while a processor is performing a critical operation; and freeing the receive queue entry such that the processor can complete the critical operation.