Method for automatic address allocation to a communication partner and a communication partner

A communication partner, comprising:

• a receiver facility to receive a data item;
• a comparator for comparing the data item with a reference data item;
• a sending device;
• and
• a processing unit to assign an address to the communication partner or to transfer the data item to the sending device for a transmission thereof to a further communication partner, wherein either the assignment or the transmission are selected based on the result of the comparison made by the comparator, and wherein the processing unit modifies the data item if transferred.

An automation system, comprising:

• a primary communication partner with a processing unit to transfer a data record to a further communication partner, wherein the data record comprises a data item and an address;
• the further communication partner comprising:
• a receiver facility to receive the data record,
• a comparator for comparing the data item with a reference data item,
• a sending device, and
• a further processing unit to assign the address to the further communication partner or to transfer the data record to the sending device for a transmission to a third communication partner, wherein either the assignment or the transmission are selected based on the result of the comparison made by the comparator, and wherein the further processing unit modifies the data item if transferred.