Method and system for utilizing a tag to optimize portion of data transfer

A method for utilizing a tag to optimize portion of data transfer is disclosed. In one embodiment, a storage location is provided on a single node for storing at least one portion of data received from at least one data stream. The header containing information about the portion of data coupled with the portion of data is accessed. A database entry is generated at the node based on the information contained on the header. A tag pointing to the database entry is also generated. The tag pointing to the database entry is then correlated with the portion of data. In so doing, when the portion of data is processed, the processing is based on the context information of the database pointed to by the tag without requiring access to the header or other data within the portion of data.