When the network is executed the va

When the network is executed the values written in the nodes of the output layer
represent the set of functions that should appear in a new protocol configuration. To achieve
this, output nodes are logically grouped according to the class of operation they perform;
individual nodes represent a single function within that class. Output nodes also represent
non-existent functions, such as that representing no error checking in the example. This
forms a simple YES / NO pattern on the output nodes, represented by 1 and 0 respectively.
For example, if error checking is not required, the node representing no error checking will
exhibit a YES whilst the other nodes in this logical class with exhibit NO.
In many cases, the values presented at the output nodes will not be black and white, 1 or
0, due to non-discrete input values and the effect of generalisation. Therefore the value in
each node represents a degree of confidence that the function represented should appear in
any new configuration. When more than one node in a logical group assumes a non-zero
value, the function represented by the highest confidence value is selected. To reduce
processing overhead, only protocol functions that have alternative microprotocols are
represented in the output layer