A node functions as an inter-ring connection node connected to an inter-ring connection link in a communication system including a plurality of inter-ring connection links connected between adjacent ring networks. The node includes: a flow-information-pass determination unit that decides which of the inter-ring connection links a reception frame passes through, based on flow information that is stored in the frame for identifying flow to which the frame belongs; and a forwarding-destination-port decision unit that decides that a forwarding destination of the reception frame is an inter-ring connection link to which the own node is connected when the inter-ring connection link decided by the flow-information-pass determination unit is the inter-ring connection link to which the own node is connected, in the case where a destination of the reception frame is in an adjacent ring network.