Embodiments of a data handling apparatus can include a network interface controller configured to interface a processing node to a network. The network interface controller can include a network interface, a register interface, a processing node interface, and logic. The network interface can include lines coupled to the network for communicating data on the network. The register interface can include lines coupled to multiple registers. The processing node interface can include at least one line coupled to the processing node for communicating data with a local processor local to the processing node wherein the local processor can read data to and write data from the registers. The logic can receive packets including a header and a payload from the network and can insert the packets into the registers as indicated by the header.