The invention relates to a method for operating a network, wherein the network comprises a plurality of network devices having ports, the network devices being connected to one another for transmitting data via cables which are each inserted into a respective port, wherein each port has signaling means which can be switched between at least two signaling states. The invention is characterized in that all signaling means of those ports of the network devices, which have the same configuration, are brought into an associated detectable signaling state.