Abstract: A non-random network can connect a common peripheral device to one of a plurality of computers. Each of these computers has a request line for providing a request signal. The network has a plurality of switching devices, each coupled to the common peripheral device and to a corresponding one of the computers. Each of these switching devices is operable in response to a select signal being applied thereto to transfer data between its corresponding one of the computers and the common peripheral device. The network also has a scanner coupled to the plurality of switching devices for operating them in a predetermined order by sequentially applying to them the select signal. This scanner is operable to cease sequencing and to continue applying the select signal to said switching devices to switch a selected one of the computers in response to a persistence of the request signal from the selected one of the computers.