Patent attributes
A method for safely adding nodes to a network provides safeguards to prevent adding nodes beyond a maximum number of nodes allowed in the network. In one aspect, if the node to be added exceeds the maximum number of nodes allowed, the connection between the node to be added and the network is quarantined. If the node to be added does not exceed the maximum number of nodes allowed, the connection is confirmed. In another aspect, an additional test is made to determine if the connection between the network and the node to be added creates a loop within the network. In the case of a detected loop, the connection between the network and the node to be added is quarantined. If the connection does not create a loop, it is confirmed.