Method and apparatus for dynamically selecting timer durations

A network switch for transmitting streaming data to a plurality of destinations, each of the destinations having a separate streaming connection to the network switch, the network switch comprising:

• a receiver to receive a unicast stream at a desired rate;
• a circular buffer having a first threshold and a second threshold to buffer the unicast stream and to split the unicast stream into multiple unicast streams;
• a timer to determine a transmission rate based in part on a desired rate, an average bit rate for each connection, and a maximum segment size (MSS) for each connection, the transmission rate regulating transmission of the multiple unicast streams to multiple client destinations;
• a stream-processing module in communication with the timer and the buffer, the stream-processing module to
• generate a data pointer to a next segment of streaming data in the buffer for each of the destinations,
• monitor utilization of the buffer relative to the first and second thresholds for each connection, and
• send timing signals to the timer;
• and
• wherein the timer further to increase the transmission rate for a particular connection if buffer utilization for that connection falls below the first threshold, and to reduce the transmission rate for a particular connection if buffer utilization for that connection exceeds the second threshold.