Abstract: A system and method for SpaceWire network management are disclosed involving a network and a network manager (NM). The network includes a plurality of switches and a plurality of nodes. The switches and nodes do not have any preprogrammed knowledge of the network topology and/or of their unit identification (UID) code. In one or more embodiments, the network is a spacecraft communications network. In at least one embodiment, the method for managing the SpaceWire network comprises the network manager (NM) determining link connectivity of the network; verifying the switches are properly configured to allow for logical address routing; and verifying the nodes are configured to process, receive, and transmit data through the network. In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining newly added units, removed units, and/or unresponsive units in the network, and propagating this information through an active unit table.