Methods and systems for efficiently processing input/output requests are provided. A network interface card (NIC) is coupled to a storage device via a peripheral link and accessible to a processor of a computing device executing instructions out of a memory device. The NIC is configured to receive a read/write request to read/write data; translate the read/write request to a storage device protocol used by the storage device coupled to the NIC; notify the storage device of the read/write request, without using the processor of the computing device, where the storage device reads/writes the data and notifies the NIC; and then the NIC prepares a response to the read/write request without having to use the processor of the computing device.