Abstract: This disclosure relates to the transmission of binary data over a network between a transmission host and a receiving host. The transmission host receives packets of data including data in a first format which may be ASCII formatted and contain 6 bits-per-byte words, and including data which had an original binary format containing greater than 6 bits-per-byte words (such as 8 bits-per-byte) and which has been encoded (such as Uuencoded) to 6 bits-per-byte words. The transmission host searches the packets and identifies the encoded data and reverse codes the encoded data to its original binary format, before transmitting the data on a suitable network transmission media that can transmit both ASCII formatted data and data having greater than 6 bit-per-byte formats. The transmission host also includes an application packet demultiplexer for separating the incoming data according its application such as HTTP, NNTP, FTP, etc.

Abstract: An approach is provided for shaping traffic of a communication system. Resource usage of a network element of the communication system is determined. The usage is compared with thresholds that are established according to loading of the communication system; these thresholds correspond to various transmission states that limit usage of the resources of the communication system (e.g., bandwidth). Further, based on the comparison, the resource usage of the network element is controlled according to a particular transmission state, thereby ensuring fair access. This approach as particular applicability to shared capacity systems, such as a satellite communication system.