Sending network data. A method includes transmitting data on a communication link, in an environment. A network control overhead portion of the data is allocated to network control overhead data packets for controlling how data is transmitted on the communication link. A user data portion of the data is allocated to user data packets for transmitting data between users of nodes on the communication link. A change in data capacity of the communication link is identified. As a result, a change is made in the network control overhead portion of the data, changing at least one of frequency of network control overhead data packets or size of network control overhead data packets to attempt to maintain a predetermined proportion factor for the network control overhead portion as compared to the user data portion. The network control overhead portion of the data is transmitted according to the change.