NEPs slow to start: asc_spawn.c ??

NEP startup times are usually just a few seconds but we frequently see large spikes.

When the startup is slow, the delay appears to be  in all calls to asc_spawn.c.     Here's an example of the KERN level diagnostic where there are abnormal delays (normally, this all happens in just a few milliseconds).

Any ideas?

>> 120453.473:35: LOW:ASC Process Init         :718 :control/libcontrol/asc_spawn.c
Application Initialization of Thread dev1
>> 120503.151:30:KERN:Memory Routines          :339 :control/libcontrol/asc_memory.c
Memory Routines: @ 018204B8, De Allocating Memory
>> 120503.151:30: LOW:ASC Process Init         :718 :control/libcontrol/asc_spawn.c
Application Initialization of Thread dev0
>> 120528.707:41:KERN:Memory Routines          :339 :control/libcontrol/asc_memory.c