Methods and device coupled to a computing device and a network device are provided. A first module receives a first packet and a second packet via a same single data path from the computing device. A second module receives the first packet at a first buffer via a first path and the second packet at a second buffer via a second path. The first module uses a steering mechanism to steer the first packet in the first path and the second packet in the second path. The second module uses an arbitration module to select the first packet and the second packet for maintaining an order in which the first packet and the second packet are received and for sending the first packet and the second packet to a third module for further processing.