Abstract: A node system for use in a data communication network including a plurality of source and destination data communication devices. The node system receives data packets from another node system, and forms image data from the received data packets. The node system selectively inserts fill codes into the image data so that such selective insertion of the fill codes prevents service interruption between the plurality of source data communication devices and the plurality of destination data communication devices by correcting a temporary inability to receive additional data, and by maintaining real time communication between the plurality of source data communication devices and destination data communication devices. The node system is capable of sending the image data and the fill codes to the plurality of destination data communication devices.