Network comprising a plurality of network nodes for media access checks

摘要

The invention relates to a network comprising a plurality of intercoupled network nodes. Controlled by a bus guardian the network nodes transmit messages during a respectively assigned time slot and receive messages from other network nodes outside this time slot. Each network node comprises a test signal generator which delivers a test signal outside the respectively assigned time slot, and includes a test signal detector which detects outside the respective time slot, after receiving a test signal from at least another network node, that there is a defective circuit portion in the assigned network node and/or in at least another network node.