A selected node of a network of nodes determines a communication path through the network, by iteratively performing the following until a pipe diameter value (PDV) converges. An approximate pressure value (APV) of the selected node is determined by repeatingly acquiring an adjacent node's provisional pressure value (PPV), and updating a PPV of the selected node based on the PDV and a length of each of a number of links, the adjacent node's PPV, and the selected node's flux. After the selected node's APV is determined, an APV of the adjacent node is acquired, and a flux of each link is determined based on the PDV, the link's length, and the adjacent and selected nodes' APVs. The PDV is updated based on each link's flux that has been determined, the PDV, and a slime mold function, without acquiring and without using any PDV of the adjacent node.