/* allocates and initializes a mac descriptor smart pointer 
Uses  */
IX_ETH_DB_PUBLIC MacDescriptor* ixEthDBAllocMacDescriptor(void)
/* allocates and initializes a mac descriptor smart pointer 
Uses  */
IX_ETH_DB_PUBLIC MacDescriptor* ixEthDBAllocMacDescriptor(void)
{
    MacDescriptor *allocatedDescriptor = ixEthDBPoolAllocMacDescriptor();
    if (allocatedDescriptor != NULL)
    {
        LOCK_MAC_POOL;
        allocatedDescriptor->refCount++;
        UNLOCK_MAC_POOL;
    }
    return allocatedDescriptor;
}