an orderwire controller and orderwire control system which provide enhanced capabilities of flexible orderwire signaling to improve usability and maintainability . a network system involves multiple ring networks , each of which comprises a plurality of network elements interconnected in a ring topology . an orderwire controller , implemented in a network element , comprises a plurality of mixers and a combination controller . the mixers add up orderwire signals from local and remote sources . the combination controller controls how to associate the mixers with the rings , to provide flexible connections among the rings so that they can share their orderwire signals .