The described techniques address issues related to compatibility and cost-effectiveness of in-
vehicle networks. The described techniques may utilize security
Ethernet-based protocols, for example, without the need to exchange separate key agreement messages and, consequently, meet the stringent starting time requirements for real-
time control systems. Additionally, a membership tracking solution may be implemented in which each node within a membership group may request, or “challenge” other nodes with the same group to verify their online status, and this online status may be maintained over time. Finally, a transmission
queue management process is described that deletes queued messages only when it is determined that every intended recipient node received the message, thereby providing
atomicity. Retained queued messages may then be re-transmitted in accordance with a
transmission schedule.