Communication module for a lamp operating unit, wherein the communication module has: - a first wired interface , mechanically and functionally connectable to the lamp operating unit or a further communication module, - a second wired interface , mechanically and functionally connectable to a network element or a further communication module, - preferably a third interface , and - a control unit connected to the first interface , the second interface , and optionally the third interface , wherein the control unit is configured to receive serial information via the first and/or the second interface in accordance with a first protocol, process said serial information, and transmit it as processed serial information via at least one of the three interfaces , wherein the communication module can be connected in series with a further communication module in accordance with the first protocol, via the first and/or the second interface , and wherein the communication module and the further communication module are communication modules of the same type, characterized in that the communication module is further configured so that it is optionally connectable, at the first wired interface , both to the lamp operating unit and to the further communication module. - a first wired interface , mechanically and functionally connectable to the lamp operating unit or a further communication module, - a second wired interface , mechanically and functionally connectable to a network element or a further communication module, - preferably a third interface , and - a control unit connected to the first interface , the second interface , and optionally the third interface , wherein the control unit is configured to receive serial information via the first and/or the second interface in accordance with a first protocol, process said serial information, and transmit it as processed serial information via at least one of the three interfaces , wherein the communication module can be connected in series with a further communication module in accordance with the first protocol, via the first and/or the second interface , and wherein the communication module and the further communication module are communication modules of the same type, characterized in that the communication module is further configured so that it is optionally connectable, at the first wired interface , both to the lamp operating unit and to the further communication module. wherein the control unit is configured to receive serial information via the first and/or the second interface in accordance with a first protocol, process said serial information, and transmit it as processed serial information via at least one of the three interfaces , wherein the communication module can be connected in series with a further communication module in accordance with the first protocol, via the first and/or the second interface , and wherein the communication module and the further communication module are communication modules of the same type, characterized in that the communication module is further configured so that it is optionally connectable, at the first wired interface , both to the lamp operating unit and to the further communication module. <EOS>