Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a ring net work is of a multiple petal configuration with the petal path to and from each node extending through a petal isolator at a hub location. A set of terminals is provided at the hub location for each node. An activity detector is coupled to a terminal of each set for detecting the normal network signals returning from a respective node, and a bypass controller is connected to another terminal of each set for sensing such signals transmitted to a respective node. The controller operates to sense separate signal bursts, and to bypass the set of terminals associated with a give node in the absence of signal detection by the associated signal detector after a selected number of separate signal bursts have been transmitted to the node. The timing relationships can be adjusted to accommodate a ring network where signals are transmitted about a ring with signal amplification and undelayed signal transmission at the respective nodes.