A method of prioritizing messages on a Local Area Network comprises receiving a digitized incoming message, comparing a message signature of the incoming message with a stored priority message signature, passing non-priority messages to a standard Ethernet protocol stack for processing, storing priority messages temporarily, preventing priority messages from being processed in the standard Ethernet protocol stack, and handling priority messages using a simplified protocol stack designed to process a specific data packet type. This method may be performed by an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) inserted between an Ethernet PHY layer and Ethernet MAC layer on a Network Interface Card of a host device. In particular, automated machinery control systems using the Ethernet protocol for networking are intended to benefit from the prioritizing method and implementation.