A method for communicating over a token passing network formed by a plurality of network nodes (A - E) interconnected by a communications media on a Media Access Control (MAC) layer, the method including the steps of: a) passing a token to each of the plurality of nodes (A - E) in a predetermined order; b) enabling each node (A - E) to send a scheduled number of packets on the network when it has possession of the token; c) providing at least one token parameter (TXB) within the token, the at least one token parameter (TXB) at least specifying a number of packets (w_i) which the node (A - E) possessing the token is allowed for sending; d) determining a maximum number of packets (s_i) which the node (A - E) possessing the token is allowed for sending using said at least one token parameter (TXB); e) determining the scheduled number of packets (s_i) to be scheduled for sending by the node (A - E) possessing the token, the scheduled number of packets (s_i) being determined as a subset of an available number of packets (v_i) currently made available for sending by the node (A - E) possessing the token, wherein the scheduled number of packets (s_i) is determined equal to or less than the maximum number of packets (w_i) determined for the node (A - E) possessing the token; f) sending, by the node (A - E) possessing the token, the scheduled number of packets (s_i) to the network; g) replacing at least one of said at least one token parameter (TXB) within the token by at least one modified token parameter (TXB), at least one modified token parameter (TXB) being at least dependent on the scheduled number of packets (s_i) sent by the node (A - E) possessing the token and a number of packets (p_i) specified by a local parameter which individually specifies a number of packets which a node (A - E) possessing the token is always allowed for sending; and h) passing the token to a next node (A - E) in the predetermined order of the plurality of nodes (A - E). a) passing a token to each of the plurality of nodes (A - E) in a predetermined order; b) enabling each node (A - E) to send a scheduled number of packets on the network when it has possession of the token; c) providing at least one token parameter (TXB) within the token, the at least one token parameter (TXB) at least specifying a number of packets (w_i) which the node (A - E) possessing the token is allowed for sending; d) determining a maximum number of packets (s_i) which the node (A - E) possessing the token is allowed for sending using said at least one token parameter (TXB); e) determining the scheduled number of packets (s_i) to be scheduled for sending by the node (A - E) possessing the token, the scheduled number of packets (s_i) being determined as a subset of an available number of packets (v_i) currently made available for sending by the node (A - E) possessing the token, wherein the scheduled number of packets (s_i) is determined equal to or less than the maximum number of packets (w_i) determined for the node (A - E) possessing the token; f) sending, by the node (A - E) possessing the token, the scheduled number of packets (s_i) to the network; g) replacing at least one of said at least one token parameter (TXB) within the token by at least one modified token parameter (TXB), at least one modified token parameter (TXB) being at least dependent on the scheduled number of packets (s_i) sent by the node (A - E) possessing the token and a number of packets (p_i) specified by a local parameter which individually specifies a number of packets which a node (A - E) possessing the token is always allowed for sending; and h) passing the token to a next node (A - E) in the predetermined order of the plurality of nodes (A - E). <EOS>