A station for a network apparatus, which includes interconnected by a
communication link, includes a network connection; a self assessment
module operable to determine a current status of the station including a
measure of the stations available resources; a trust list that includes a
station identifier for each other station which is designated as trusted
to perform tasks for the station; and a broadcast unit operable to
transmit service requests to the network. The service requests are
directed to each other station in the trust list and request each other
station to perform a task. The station also includes an answer unit
operable to receive service requests from the network and transmit an
acceptance or refusal message in response to the service request. The
acceptance or refusal is decided based on the current status of the
station as determined by the self assessment module.