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# DeallocatePacket

Disposes of any resources associated with the packet and makes the packet available for reuse.

```
virtual kern_return_t DeallocatePacket(IOUserNetworkPacket *packet);
```

## Parameters

`packet`

The packet to deallocate. It is a programmer error to specify `NULL` or an invalid pointer for this parameter.

## Return Value

`kIOReturnSuccess` on success, or another value if an error occurred.

## Discussion

After you move a packet to the appropriate completion queue, call this method to recycle the packet. Recycling the packet makes it available for use with a new incoming or outgoing packet.

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