In one aspect, a method for error detection in a packet-based message distribution system, according to which messages are distributed via a plurality of nodes and other system components, and each node comprises at least two addressable interfaces is provided. For the security of the system, the message distribution paths are designed in a redundant manner and redundancy paths are available in the message distribution system in the event of the breakdown of connections in the message distribution system. The invention topology of the message distribution system is known by the nodes, and the nodes check the accessibility of the other nodes by means of communication tests; interrogate intermediate system components by means of existing interfaces and in terms of the connection status thereof in relation to other nodes and/or system components, and signal optional error configurations, physical errors, and/or missing redundancy paths of the message distribution system.