I am using RCurl's curlPerform command to send an XML string to an HTTP server running on the localhost. The command is something like this: reader <- basicTextGatherer() curlPerform(url="http://127.0.0.1/", httpheader=c('Content-Type' = "text/xml; charset=utf-8"), postfields=toString.XMLNode(xmlRoot(xdoc)), writefunction=reader$update, .opts=curlOptions(noproxy="*")) When sending a short string, the web server responds instantly. However, when the content-length gets above 1024 bytes, the server takes about 2 seconds to receive all the content that is being sent to it. I've written the server myself in Python, so I can see that the delay occurs while the server is fetching the data from the client, and not at any other point in the response process. Note that the delay is constant above 1024 bytes; i.e. the delay doesn't double when the content length goes up to 2048. Using another client (Excel's MSXML2.ServerXMLHTTP library) yields no delays regardless of the content length. There are no significant differences as far as I can tell in the headers that are being sent. Is curl somehow throttling my connection? I suppose it could be a server-side issue, but the fact that other clients don't generate the same problems makes me think it is curl. Thanks. This communication is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument or as an official confirmation of any transaction. All market prices, data and other information are not warranted as to completeness or accuracy and are subject to change without notice. Any comments or statements made herein do not necessarily reflect those of JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates. This transmission may contain information that is privileged, confidential, legally privileged, and/or exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution, or use of the information contained herein (including any reliance thereon) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED. Although this transmission and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus or other defect that might affect any computer system into which it is received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that it is virus free and no responsibility is accepted by JPMorgan Chase & Co., its subsidiaries and affiliates, as applicable, for any loss or damage arising in any way from its use. If you received this transmission in error, please immediately contact the sender and destroy the material in its entirety, whether in electronic or hard copy format. Thank you. Please refer to http://www.jpmorgan.com/pages/disclosures for disclosures relating to European legal entities.