A method for rapidly flashing sensor nodes via an Ethernet network having a head node and a plurality of associated nodes. The method includes: determining the number of active nodes by a head node; classifying the identified nodes into multiple classifications to prioritize the Ethernet network communication by the head node; receiving reservation requests from at least some of the plurality of nodes by the head node; assigning to one or more nodes in the upcoming communication window time slots in response to reservation requests based on a node priority and the priority assigned to the nodes in accordance with their classification. A necessary download data rate is then determined and, a current bus utilization is ascertained by calculating the time difference of a final beacon and the number of nodes, and the bus cycle of the Ethernet network is optimized in terms of the necessary download data rate.