Abstract: A network topography and associated protocol for exchanging data and control information between stations arranged in a daisy-chain wide-area-network (WAN) and a local-area-network (LAN). The protocol includes a circuit layer which routes messages between WAN stations, and a slot layer which routes slots between LAN channels and WAN devices. The protocol uses virtual circuits to route messages between devices. Broadcast messages distribute control information to all circuits. A circuit-specific control message allows passing control information to each circuit. Virtual circuits are established with a broadcast circuit-connect message and disconnected with a broadcast circuit-disconnect message. The maximum message size is regulated in accordance with the transmission speed of links over which a message must travel.