Abstract: A method of communicating among nodes connected in a loop in which information packets are initially transmitted in both directions around the loop to assure reception at a destination node. Each of the transmitted packets is provided with its respective source node address, and upon receiving one of the transmitted packets at one of the nodes, a block-out period is started. During the block-out period other transmitted packets which have the same source node address as the received packet and which arrive at other ports of the receiving node are discarded to reduce packet congestion in the loop, thereby increasing the efficiency of use of loop bandwidth.