A system and method for optimizing state machine transitional performance in a
high speed link (HSL) protocol stack at an application node disposed in a network.
An input event decoder and a state decoder decode an input event and state-specific
context information relating to a particular protocol layer involved in a layer
service for a specific connection. The decoded state-specific context information
is utilized for personalizing a generic state machine (GSM) logic structure in
order to effectuate a layer-specific state logic package that is partitionable
into a control plane and a data plane. The decoded input event is processed by
the personalized state machine to generate encodable output event and next-state
information. In parallel with the control plane operations, parametric tests and
data operations with respect to the layer service are performed in the data plane,
thereby improving state machine transitional processing in the application node.