In one aspect, a method for error detection in a packet-based message
distribution system, according to which messages are distributed via a plurality of nodes and other
system components, and each node comprises at least two addressable interfaces is provided. For the security of the
system, the message distribution paths are designed in a redundant manner and redundancy paths are available in the message
distribution system in the event of the breakdown of connections in the message
distribution system. The invention topology of the message distribution
system is known by the nodes, and the nodes check the
accessibility of the other nodes by means of communication tests; interrogate intermediate system components by means of existing interfaces and in terms of the connection status thereof in relation to other nodes and / or system components, and
signal optional error configurations, physical errors, and / or missing redundancy paths of the message distribution system.