a network processor includes an arbitration device , a processing device , and a pipeline . the arbitration device receives a first packet and a second packet . the second packet includes a first control message . the pipeline includes access devices , where the access devices include first and second access devices . the pipeline , based on a clock signal , forwards the first and second packets between successive ones of the access devices . the arbitration device : sets a timer based on at least one of an amount of time for data to travel between the first and second access devices , or a number of pipeline stages between the first and second access devices ; adjusts a variable based on the clock signal , and transmission of the first packet from the arbitration device to the pipeline ; and based on the timer and the variable , schedules transmission of the second packet through the pipeline .