Recoverable cut-through buffer and method

The present invention provides a unique system and method for optimizing packet processing flow in a communications network by minimizing latency associated with packet-forwarding eligibility determinations. The present invention employs a speculative scheme with automatic recovery, including a two-way multithreaded implementation designed to overcome the aforementioned latency issue, including the functionality of enqueuing an incoming packet in both packet memory and a cut through buffer; determining the packet's eligibility for cutting through the buffer; and based on the determination, rolling back the unsuccessful process.