In a communications network, one component at a time can be monitored by
at least one other component. To this end, a monitoring task is issued by
a monitoring component, whereby this monitoring task contains the address
of said component. Each component, which can be monitored and which
monitors, is provided with communications means for carrying out direct
data exchange. The monitoring component transmits the monitoring task
directly to the component, which is to be monitored and which comprises
both storage means for storing the addresses contained in the monitoring
tasks as well as monitoring means for monitoring the state. A
communications means is used to directly transmit a state to be monitored
to the monitoring component at least in the event of a state change.