In one example embodiment, a method is provided and includes identifying a first data type of a first payload of a first data packet to be transmitted as part of a flow, where the first data type is identified by evaluating a quality of service (QoS) field, and setting an acknowledgement flag based on the first data type; the acknowledgement flag to indicate that an acknowledgement is not required from a receiving device such that a network device avoids retransmitting a first outgoing frame when the acknowledgement is not received for the first outgoing frame. In more particular instances, the method can include where the acknowledgement flag is in the first outgoing frame.