Systems and methods are provided for implementing: a rings architecture (32, 34) for communications and data handling systems (30); an enumeration process for automatically configuring the ring topology (32, 34); automatic routing of messages through bridges (36); extending a ring topology to external devices (42); write-ahead functionality to promote efficiency; wait-till-reset operation resumption; in-vivo scan through rings (32, 34) topology; staggered clocking arrangement; and stray message detection and eradication.
