Network devices of a digital network for communication between a plurality of devices have a source for transmitting data into the network, and sinks for receiving data from the network. Managers (logical controllers) to which priorities are assigned in a hierarchical order manage connections between sources and sinks. Before setting up a connection, a manager first queries a negotiation administrator to obtain a right to negotiate with other managers and to set up connections. When all other managers having higher priorities also have granted the connection, the manager connects sources and sinks.