A method for fault recognition in a distributed real-time computer system comprising fault containment units (FCUs), which has a global timebase, wherein the fault containment units communicate by means of messages via at least one message distribution unit, wherein a commitment time is associated with a message formed by a fault containment unit, and wherein a message distribution unit that receives a message relays the message to one or more fault containment units operating in parallel, and wherein a processing fault containment unit (VFCU) does not transmit or use any of its results that are influenced by one or more of the received messages to the environment of the processing fault containment unit before the commitment times associated with the received messages.