A method of mapping and characterizing a communication network is described. Segments are mapped by having each node of the network sending and receiving messages to discover its partner until the network is fully mapped. Each segment is characterized by sample messages sent along each segment, with received signal level at each end of the segment being measured and used to calculate cable segment parameters. Location tags may have their positions estimated by using signal levels at each end of a leaky cable segment receiving the tag signal to estimate the position of location tag.