Decentralized loopback reconfiguration of a bidirectional ring LAN

A decentralized reconfiguration method for local networks of bidirectional ring architecture is presented. The method relies on a suitably designed two-mode medium access control protocol that is used uniformly in all network configurations. The reconfiguration transitions are performed autonomously by individual nodes, based purely on the local status of medium access control; no specialized topology-testing frames or signals are used. Reconfiguration proceeds as a decentralized, stepwise process, in which the enabled network components grow together, leaving out the disabled parts. It is suggested that the proposed reconfiguration method is robust and suitable for embedded distributed systems operating in unsafe environments.