A method for controlling the throughput in a communications channel between a host and its storage subsystem is disclosed. A determination is made whether or not a total throughput value is greater than a predetermined maximum throughput value. If the total throughput value is greater than the predetermined maximum throughput value, a delay is applied to the communications channel. If the total throughput value is not greater than the predetermined maximum throughput value, another determination is made whether or not one time period has completed. If one time period has completed, a total throughput value and an exponential moving average (EMA) throughput value of the communications channel is retrieved, a new EMA throughput value is generated based on the total throughput value and the EMA throughput value, and adjusting the total throughput value based on whether or not the new throughput value is greater than a predetermined maximum throughput value.