Communication network with non-unique device identifiers and method of establishing connection paths in such a network.

摘要

A communication network having a service processor (T PHI ), a plurality of terminal nodes (T1-T15), and a network of switch nodes (A-H) for switchably connecting the service processor to each terminal node by way of one or more connection paths. Each switch node in the communication network is connected to the service processor either directly or through one or more other switch nodes. Each terminal node of the communication network is connected to a switch node. Each switch node and each terminal node has a device identification. At least two nodes have the same device identification. Each target node having the same device identification as another node can preferably be connected to the service processor by way of at least one connection path which does not any other node having the same device identification as the target node. All switch nodes having the same minimum connection path length may, for example, have the same device identification.