Adjusting connection validating control signals in response to changes in network traffic

A method for regulating transmission of control packets between first and second network entities that exchange data messages through a network, the method comprising:

• from the first network entity, transmitting control packets to the second network entity at an initial control packet rate;
• monitoring a rate of data packet transmission between the first and second network entities that does not account for the transmitted control packets;
• and
• in response to the monitored rate of data packet transmission falling below a threshold value for a particular period of time, reducing the transmission rate of the control packets from the first network entity in order to reduce resource consumption in the network due to excessive control packets from the first entity to the second entity when the data packet transmission rate is below the threshold value.