Method for operating a distributed communications network

A method for operating a distributed communications network with a plurality of network nodes, each network node being assigned an identity value from a range of identity values and an address to communicate with other network nodes, and each network node being responsible for a sub-range of identity values from the range, comprising:

• managing a table by each operational network node, the table containing an entry for each operational network node in the communications network, the entry comprising the identity value and the address of the respective network node;
• sending regularly activity messages by each operational network node to the other network nodes of the communications network, the activity messages each containing the identity value and the address of the respective network node;
• and
• synchronizing the table by each operational network node, upon receiving an activity message, with the contents of the activity message.

A distributed communications network, comprising:

• a plurality of network nodes, each network node being assigned an identity value from a range of identity values and an address to communicate with other network nodes, and each network node being responsible for a sub-range of identity values from the range,
• wherein the communications network is configured such that
• each operational network node manages a table containing an entry for each operational network node in the communications network, the entry comprising the identity value and the address of the network node,
• each operational network node regularly sends activity messages to the other network nodes of the communications network, the activity messages each containing the identity value and the address of the network node, and
• each operational network node, upon receiving an activity message, synchronizes its table with the contents of the activity message.