+always_inline u32
+vlib_buffer_get_free_list_index (vlib_buffer_t * b)
+{
+ return b->flags & VLIB_BUFFER_FREE_LIST_INDEX_MASK;
+}
+
+always_inline void
+vlib_buffer_set_free_list_index (vlib_buffer_t * b, u32 index)
+{
+ /* if there is an need for more free lists we should consider
+ storig data in the 2nd cacheline */
+ ASSERT (VLIB_BUFFER_FREE_LIST_INDEX_MASK & 1);
+ ASSERT (index <= VLIB_BUFFER_FREE_LIST_INDEX_MASK);
+
+ b->flags &= ~VLIB_BUFFER_FREE_LIST_INDEX_MASK;
+ b->flags |= index & VLIB_BUFFER_FREE_LIST_INDEX_MASK;
+}
+