Abstract: An active multiplexer contains a switching mechanism that connects one of a plurality of upstream links from corresponding nodes in a communication network to an upstream output based on information contained in a MAP. The MAP contains scheduling information of the next user stations, which are coupled to the nodes, and which are scheduled to transmit in the upstream direction during a period following the current time. Station identifiers are associated with their corresponding node identifier during a ranging burst interval into a station/node table, which is used in conjunction with the MAP to control the active multiplexer. Based on the MAP, the active multiplexer connects the node, as determined from the station/node table, that serves the station that is scheduled to transmit upstream traffic and disconnects other nodes.