MANAGING NETWORK TRAFFIC IN APPLICATION CONTROL NETWORKS

The present invention relates to a system and method for controlling data traffic within an applications control network (300) comprising a plurality of data forwarding devices (110, 180) capable of transmitting data at a first frequency within an integrated communication network (100) and at least one application control component (310) that transmits data to the network at the first frequency. The system comprises a processing unit configured to determine, based on an application plan (204), a second frequency at which the data from the application control component (310) is required by the application control network, provide a data path configuration for the plurality of data forwarding devices for passing the data at instances of time defined by the second frequency, wherein the second frequency is less than the first frequency, and for blocking the data path during the time interval between the time instances defined by the second frequency.