conflicts are resolved between competing nodes in a multi - node communications network . after a first node in the network requests an initiation of communications with a target node , the requesting node may simply initiate the requested communications with the target node if the target node is not busy . if the first node determines that the target node is busy , it proceeds to resolve the conflict . namely , the first node repeats the process of waiting for a first delay then requesting initiation of communications with the target node . after each unsuccessful attempt , the first delay is successively increased . as an example , the delay may be increased exponentially , with a controlled randomness added . after a or more queued messages to other nodes . following this , the first node performs another sequence to initiate communications with the target node , successively increasing the delay between unsuccessful attempts , as before . after a predetermined number of unsuccessful passes through the foregoing routine , the first node proceeds to take appropriate action , such as initiating an error recovery routine , sending the message via different hardware components , or issuing an error message .