diff --git a/coordinator/coordinator.lua b/coordinator/coordinator.lua
index 59661da..53fda6f 100644
--- a/coordinator/coordinator.lua
+++ b/coordinator/coordinator.lua
@@ -390,13 +390,10 @@ function coordinator.comms(version, nic, crd_channel, svr_channel, pkt_channel,
     ---@param distance integer
     ---@return mgmt_frame|crdn_frame|capi_frame|nil packet
     function public.parse_packet(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
+        local s_pkt = nic.receive(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
         local pkt = nil
-        local s_pkt = comms.scada_packet()
 
-        -- parse packet as generic SCADA packet
-        s_pkt.receive(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
-
-        if s_pkt.is_valid() then
+        if s_pkt then
             -- get as SCADA management packet
             if s_pkt.protocol() == PROTOCOL.SCADA_MGMT then
                 local mgmt_pkt = comms.mgmt_packet()
diff --git a/pocket/pocket.lua b/pocket/pocket.lua
index c0b5f77..b0432cf 100644
--- a/pocket/pocket.lua
+++ b/pocket/pocket.lua
@@ -178,13 +178,10 @@ function pocket.comms(version, nic, pkt_channel, svr_channel, crd_channel, range
     ---@param distance integer
     ---@return mgmt_frame|capi_frame|nil packet
     function public.parse_packet(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
+        local s_pkt = nic.receive(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
         local pkt = nil
-        local s_pkt = comms.scada_packet()
 
-        -- parse packet as generic SCADA packet
-        s_pkt.receive(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
-
-        if s_pkt.is_valid() then
+        if s_pkt then
             -- get as SCADA management packet
             if s_pkt.protocol() == PROTOCOL.SCADA_MGMT then
                 local mgmt_pkt = comms.mgmt_packet()
diff --git a/reactor-plc/plc.lua b/reactor-plc/plc.lua
index d2991ae..2bba4ee 100644
--- a/reactor-plc/plc.lua
+++ b/reactor-plc/plc.lua
@@ -732,10 +732,10 @@ function plc.comms(id, version, nic, plc_channel, svr_channel, range, reactor, r
     ---@param distance integer
     ---@return rplc_frame|mgmt_frame|nil packet
     function public.parse_packet(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
-        local pkt = nil
         local s_pkt = nic.receive(side, sender, reply_to, message, distance)
+        local pkt = nil
 
-        if s_pkt and s_pkt.is_valid() then
+        if s_pkt then
             -- get as RPLC packet
             if s_pkt.protocol() == PROTOCOL.RPLC then
                 local rplc_pkt = comms.rplc_packet()
diff --git a/scada-common/network.lua b/scada-common/network.lua
index fbc4750..3469413 100644
--- a/scada-common/network.lua
+++ b/scada-common/network.lua
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ end
 ---@param modem table modem to use
 function network.nic(modem)
     local self = {
-        connected = (modem ~= nil),
+        connected = true,
         channels = {}
     }
 
@@ -92,6 +92,10 @@ function network.nic(modem)
     ---@field callRemote function
     local public = {}
 
+    -- check if this NIC has a connected modem
+    ---@nodiscard
+    function public.connected() return self.connected end
+
     -- connect to a modem peripheral
     ---@param reconnected_modem table
     function public.connect(reconnected_modem)
@@ -112,18 +116,17 @@ function network.nic(modem)
     -- flag this NIC as no longer having a connected modem (usually do to peripheral disconnect)
     function public.disconnect() self.connected = false end
 
-    -- check if this NIC has a connected modem
-    ---@nodiscard
-    function public.connected() return self.connected end
-
     -- check if a peripheral is this modem
     ---@nodiscard
     ---@param device table
     function public.is_modem(device) return device == modem end
 
-    -- wrap modem functions, then create custom transmit
+    -- wrap modem functions, then create custom functions
     public.connect(modem)
 
+    -- open a channel on the modem<br>
+    -- if disconnected *after* opening, previousy opened channels will be re-opened on reconnection
+    ---@param channel integer
     function public.open(channel)
         if self.connected then
             modem.open(channel)
@@ -142,6 +145,8 @@ function network.nic(modem)
         end
     end
 
+    -- close a channel on the modem
+    ---@param channel integer
     function public.close(channel)
         if self.connected then
             modem.close(channel)
@@ -154,6 +159,7 @@ function network.nic(modem)
         end
     end
 
+    -- close all channels on the modem
     function public.closeAll()
         if self.connected then
             modem.closeAll()