Embodiments of the invention provide a method, system, and computer program product for managing a computer memory system including a channel controller and a memory area. In one embodiment, the method comprises the channel controller receiving a request including a header and a payload, and separating said memory area into a working memory area and an auxiliary memory area. A copy of the header is deposited in the working memory area; and a full copy of the request, including a copy of the header and a copy of the payload, is deposited in the auxiliary memory area. The copy of the request in the auxiliary memory area is used to perform hardware operations; and the copy of the header in the working memory area is used to perform software operations.