A method and apparatus is provided for operating a network based assembly for document processing when the assembly includes an intelligent Network Interface Controller (iNIC), a Document Processing Device (DPS) and a Digital Front End (DFE) for the DPS. Job data and control data communicated to the assembly through the network are communicated solely through the iNIC functioning as a threshold to the DPS assembly. The iNIC segregates any such data to identify job data that needs to be communicated to the DFE from other data that can be directly communicated to the DPS. Enhanced communication efficiency results from directly communicating control data to the DPS to avoid bottleneck communication of all data through the DFE.