Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including a concentrator, for operating a station coupled to a ring in a token ring network. The ring carries signal at an active monitor clock rate. The method includes the steps of generating a local clock at an accelerated clock rate that is equal to or greater than the active monitor clock rate, operating the station at the accelerated clock rate when the station is a standby monitor, operating the station at the active monitor clock rate when the station is the active monitor, operating the station at its own clock rate when the station is in loopback mode, and receiving signal from the ring and transmitting signal to the ring at the active monitor clock rate. The station operates at the accelerated clock rate of the local clock except when the station is the active monitor or is in loopback mode.