Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a system includes: a network interface unit (NIU). The network interface unit (NIU) is adapted to monitor bandwidth utilization of the network interface unit and adjust the minimum interval for the transmission of a flow control packet, based, at least in part, on the bandwidth utilization determination. Briefly, in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus includes at least one integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes the capability, either alone or in combination with other integrated circuits, to monitor the receive rate utilization of a network interface unit and adjust the minimum interval for the transmission of a flow control frame, based, at least in part, on the receive rate utilization determined.