A subtended communication network includes a first node servicing a plurality of first subscribers and having a subtend module and a corresponding first identifier. The first node can store a second identifier corresponding to a second node coupled to the subtend module. The subtended communication network also includes a second node servicing a plurality of second subscribers and having a network interface module and corresponding second identifier. The second node can store the first identifier corresponding to the first node coupled to the network interface module. The subtended communication network further includes a management module coupled to the first node and the second node. The management module can determine a subtending relationship between the first node and the second node by retrieving the first identifier from the second node and the second identifier from the first node.