A network node in a communication network, the network node comprising: a communication interface for communicating with one or more neighboring nodes in a local network of the network node; and a configuration processor for determining a parameter setting for the network node, the configuration processor configured to: exchange current parameter settings with the neighboring nodes in the local network; compute a partial derivative of a local cost function for the network node with respect to each of its neighboring nodes and exchange the computed partial derivatives with the neighboring nodes; compute a gradient of a summed cost function for the network node at a current parameter setting for the network node based on the partial derivatives received from its neighboring nodes; exchange the computed gradient with the neighboring nodes; compute a local impact function based on the gradients of the summed cost functions; wherein the configuration processor is further configured to: exchange the local impact functions with the neighboring nodes, wherein the local impact function for each neighboring node indicates a contribution of the parameter setting by the network node on a summed cost function for the neighboring node; determine a summed impact function for the network node based on the local impact functions for the neighboring nodes and a local impact function for the network node; determine a revised parameter setting based on the summed impact function and the gradient of the summed cost function; and send the revised parameter setting for the network node to the neighboring nodes in the local network of the network node. a communication interface for communicating with one or more neighboring nodes in a local network of the network node; and a configuration processor for determining a parameter setting for the network node, the configuration processor configured to: exchange current parameter settings with the neighboring nodes in the local network; compute a partial derivative of a local cost function for the network node with respect to each of its neighboring nodes and exchange the computed partial derivatives with the neighboring nodes; compute a gradient of a summed cost function for the network node at a current parameter setting for the network node based on the partial derivatives received from its neighboring nodes; exchange the computed gradient with the neighboring nodes; compute a local impact function based on the gradients of the summed cost functions; wherein the configuration processor is further configured to: exchange the local impact functions with the neighboring nodes, wherein the local impact function for each neighboring node indicates a contribution of the parameter setting by the network node on a summed cost function for the neighboring node; determine a summed impact function for the network node based on the local impact functions for the neighboring nodes and a local impact function for the network node; determine a revised parameter setting based on the summed impact function and the gradient of the summed cost function; and send the revised parameter setting for the network node to the neighboring nodes in the local network of the network node. exchange current parameter settings with the neighboring nodes in the local network; compute a partial derivative of a local cost function for the network node with respect to each of its neighboring nodes and exchange the computed partial derivatives with the neighboring nodes; compute a gradient of a summed cost function for the network node at a current parameter setting for the network node based on the partial derivatives received from its neighboring nodes; exchange the computed gradient with the neighboring nodes; compute a local impact function based on the gradients of the summed cost functions; exchange the local impact functions with the neighboring nodes, wherein the local impact function for each neighboring node indicates a contribution of the parameter setting by the network node on a summed cost function for the neighboring node; determine a summed impact function for the network node based on the local impact functions for the neighboring nodes and a local impact function for the network node; determine a revised parameter setting based on the summed impact function and the gradient of the summed cost function; and send the revised parameter setting for the network node to the neighboring nodes in the local network of the network node.