A distributed network system may include a shared communication bus that operates in accordance with a communication protocol and a plurality of devices coupled to the shared communication bus. The communication protocol may define periods of time and an order by which each of the plurality of devices actively transmit data on the shared communication bus such that only one of the plurality of devices actively transmits data on the shared communication bus at a time to a remaining number of the plurality of devices through the shared communication bus. When the remaining number of the plurality of devices are not actively transmitting data, the remaining number of the plurality of devices may receive data via the shared communication bus so that bi-directional communication is established among the plurality of devices on the shared communication bus.