Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the data rate in a network using a delay processor. Since an increase in the data rate can overwhelm parts of the network hardware, such as a router, a delay processor is introduced so that data is delayed by a fixed amount so as to lower the data rate. A configuration table determines the amount of delay. A slowly changing amount of delay can be used in place of a fixed amount.

Abstract: A router (101, 102) at a first location (161) is programmed (306) to route a communication to a first special processor (141), when an address of a second user processor (121) to which the communication is sent is in a special address range. The first special processor is programmed (308) to perform special processing on the communication and to perform one of encapsulating and re-addressing the communication to send the communication to a second special processor (142), the second special processor having an address that is not in the special address range, thereby allowing routine delivery of the communication to the second special processor. The second special processor is programmed (310) to perform inverse special processing on the communication, and to perform one of unencapsulating and re-addressing the communication allowing routine delivery of the communication to the second user processor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the data rate in a network using a delay processor. Since an increase in the data rate can overwhelm parts of the network hardware, such as a router, a delay processor is introduced so that data is delayed by a fixed amount so as to lower the data rate. A configuration table determines the amount of delay. A slowly changing amount of delay can be used in place of a fixed amount.