A system comprises a plurality of nodes; and a hub that is communicatively coupled to each of the plurality of nodes via a plurality of point-to-point links, wherein a priority-based arbitration scheme is used by the plurality of nodes and the hub to communicate over each of the plurality of point-to-point links. When the hub determines that one or more of the plurality of nodes is each transmitting a message having an identification field comprising a first sub-field and a second sub-field, the hub uses the first sub-field to select which node's message should be forwarded to the other nodes based, at least in part, on the priority-based arbitration scheme and forwards the selected node's message as it is received to the other nodes, continuing with the second sub-field of the selected node's message.