Communication device and method for data transmission within an industrial communication network

A communication device, comprising:

• a plurality of multiple connections for connection to further communication devices;
• a coupling element via which the plurality of multiple connections are switchably connectable to one another;
• wherein the communication device is configured to:
• transmit selected datagrams from first communication devices to second communication devices within predefined time intervals,
• synchronize the predefined time intervals with communication devices at other network nodes,
• ascertain a number of network nodes from each respective first communication device to each respective second communication device for forwarding the selected datagrams,
• transmit the selected datagrams during first periodic time intervals having a first guard interval length if the ascertained number of network nodes corresponds to at least one predefined threshold value,
• transmit the selected datagrams during second periodic time intervals having a second guard interval length, which is shorter than the first guard interval length, if the ascertained number is below the threshold value.