The data-link layer provides basic time-critical messaging communications between devices in an automation environment. This protocol provides communication opportunities to all participating data-link entities a) in a synchronously-starting cyclic manner, according to a pre-established schedule, or b) in an acyclic manner, as requested by each of those data-link entities. Thus this protocol can be characterized as one which provides cyclic and acyclic access asynchronously but with a synchronous restart of each cycle.