A method, system, and product in a data processing system are disclosed for managing data transmitted from a first end node to a second end node included in the data processing system. A logical connection is established between the first end node and the second end node prior to transmitting data between the end nodes. An instance number is associated with this particular logical connection. The instance number is included in each packet transmitted between the end nodes while this logical connection remains established. The instance number remains constant during this logical connection. The instance number is altered, such as by incrementing it, each time a logical connection between these end nodes is reestablished. Thus, each packet is associated with a particular instance of the logical connection. When a packet is received, the instance number included in the packet may be used to determine whether the packet is a stale packet transmitted during a previous logical connection between these end nodes.