Abstract: A method for shortening a distributed queue, the distributed queue being formed by the first node and the second node which communicate using packets transmitted and received over first and second buses, the first and second nodes having first and second distributed queue images, respectively, which form first and second portions of the distributed queue, respectively, the packets travelling over the first bus having a request mode and a non-request mode and the packets travelling over the second bus having an empty mode and a full mode, the first node creating packets in the empty mode in the non-request mode; the first node has an information queuing state which changes a first packet originally in the non-request mode into the request mode and transmits the first packet over the first bus and adds first information to be sent to the first distributed queue, the first node transmitting information stored in the first distributed queue when second packet in the empty mode and a third packet is the non-reques

Abstract: Every subscriber node connected to an optical fiber comprises an access unit with a directional coupler which is controlled via an output amplifier, an optoelectric converter being connected subsequent to the directional coupler. Packets run on the fiber. The first bit of the packets indicates whether it is an empty packet (shown by "light" or "bright") or a data packet (shown by "no light" or "dark"). As soon as the node has prepared data for transmission in a buffer storage, a test is effected at each arriving packet as to whether or not it is an empty packet. For this purpose, the light of every first bit is guided to a L/I detector which carries out this test in a "flying" manner, while a no-light bit passes on to the outgoing fiber. If the L/I bit indicates a data packet, the control immediately switches the directional coupler to pass, so that the packet passes the node so as to be unchanged.