Abstract: A method for operating a data transmission system with a plurality of stations connected over a common bus, only one of which has access rights to the bus at a given time and controls the data transmission over the bus with call messages addressed to several stations simultaneously. The response times of the called stations are determined. The called stations are parameterized so that they acknowledge and respond to the call message with response messages in the order of their response times. The method is used in field buses in automation technology.

Abstract: A process and a device for addressing stations in a network consisting of at least two segments (S1, S2, S3), wherein network junctions (N1, N2) are provided between the individual segments, which network junctions forward a message from a first segment (S1) to other connected segments (S2, S3) on the basis of path information contained in messages for addressing. The path information of a message to be forwarded through a network junction (N1) contains the station address, valid in the first segment (S1), of the network junction (N1) and an address extension containing a station link identifier for the network junction (N1), and with the help of said address extension the network junction (N1) inserts path information, valid in the other segment (S2), in the message for addressing the receiving station (E2, E3) and forwards it to the other segment (S2). The path information for each station link that can be established via a network junction are advantageously stored in a transmission table.