Delay times are modified in full-duplex Ethernet network devices by calculating in each network station a delay interval based on a size of a transmitted data packet and a desired transmission rate. The network station waits the calculated delay time before transmitting another data packet, ensuring that the overall output transmission rate of the network station corresponds to the assigned desired transmission rate. The desired transmission rate is received as a media access control (MAC) control frame from a network management entity, such as a switched hub. Hence, each station operates at the desired transmission rate, minimizing the occurrence of congestion and eliminating the necessity of PAUSE frames.