A data transfer apparatus with hub and ports includes design configurable hub interface units (HIU) between the ports and corresponding external application units. The configurable HIU provides a single generic superset HIU that can be configured for specific more specialized applications during implementation as part of design synthesis. Configuration allows the super-set configurable HIU to be crafted into any one of several possible special purpose HIUs. This configuration is performed during the design phase and is not applied in field applications. Optimization aimed at eliminating functional blocks not needed in a specific design and simplifying and modifying other functional blocks allows for the efficient configuring of these other types of HIUs. Configuration of HIUs for specific needs can result in significant savings in silicon area and in power consumption.