A method is described that involves performing a checksum calculation on a section of data within an inbound packet before the section of data is first stored into a system memory. Another method is described that involves moving a section of data within an outbound packet from a system memory to an offload memory. Then, removing the section of data from the offload memory; and performing a checksum calculation on the section of data. An apparatus is described that includes a central processing unit that is communicatively coupled with a network processing offload unit, wherein the network processing offload unit calculates a checksum upon a section of data located within an inbound packet, and calculates a checksum upon a section of data within an outbound packet.