diff --git a/lib/logitech_receiver/base.py b/lib/logitech_receiver/base.py
index 88f593eb..57e307df 100644
--- a/lib/logitech_receiver/base.py
+++ b/lib/logitech_receiver/base.py
@@ -422,13 +422,24 @@ def acquire_timeout(lock, handle, timeout):
             lock.release()
 
 
-# cycle the HID++ 2.0 software ID from x2 to xF, inclusive, to separate results from each other, notifications, and driver
-sw_id = 0xF
+def _get_next_sw_id() -> int:
+    """Returns 'random' software ID to separate replies from different devices.
+
+    Cycle the HID++ 2.0 software ID from 0x2 to 0xF to separate
+    results and notifications.
+    """
+    if not hasattr(_get_next_sw_id, "software_id"):
+        _get_next_sw_id.software_id = 0xF
+
+    if _get_next_sw_id.software_id < 0xF:
+        _get_next_sw_id.software_id += 1
+    else:
+        _get_next_sw_id.software_id = 2
+    return _get_next_sw_id.software_id
 
 
 # a very few requests (e.g., host switching) do not expect a reply, but use no_reply=True with extreme caution
 def request(handle, devnumber, request_id, *params, no_reply=False, return_error=False, long_message=False, protocol=1.0):
-    global sw_id
     """Makes a feature call to a device and waits for a matching reply.
     :param handle: an open UR handle.
     :param devnumber: attached device number.
@@ -439,12 +450,10 @@ def request(handle, devnumber, request_id, *params, no_reply=False, return_error
     with acquire_timeout(handle_lock(handle), handle, 10.0):
         assert isinstance(request_id, int)
         if (devnumber != 0xFF or protocol >= 2.0) and request_id < 0x8000:
-            # For HID++ 2.0 feature requests, randomize the SoftwareId to make it
-            # easier to recognize the reply for this request. also, always set the
-            # most significant bit (8) in SoftwareId, to make notifications easier
-            # to distinguish from request replies.
+            # Always set the most significant bit (8) in SoftwareId,
+            # to make notifications easier to distinguish from request replies.
             # This only applies to peripheral requests, ofc.
-            sw_id = sw_id + 1 if sw_id < 0xF else 2
+            sw_id = _get_next_sw_id()
             request_id = (request_id & 0xFFF0) | sw_id  # was 0x08 | getrandbits(3)
 
         timeout = _RECEIVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT if devnumber == 0xFF else _DEVICE_REQUEST_TIMEOUT
@@ -549,7 +558,6 @@ def ping(handle, devnumber, long_message=False):
     """Check if a device is connected to the receiver.
     :returns: The HID protocol supported by the device, as a floating point number, if the device is active.
     """
-    global sw_id
     if logger.isEnabledFor(logging.DEBUG):
         logger.debug("(%s) pinging device %d", handle, devnumber)
     with acquire_timeout(handle_lock(handle), handle, 10.0):
@@ -561,8 +569,7 @@ def ping(handle, devnumber, long_message=False):
             return
 
         # randomize the mark byte to be able to identify the ping reply
-        # cycle the sw_id byte from 2 to 15 (see above)
-        sw_id = sw_id + 1 if sw_id < 0xF else 2
+        sw_id = _get_next_sw_id()
         request_id = 0x0010 | sw_id  # was 0x0018 | getrandbits(3)
         request_data = struct.pack("!HBBB", request_id, 0, 0, getrandbits(8))
         write(int(handle), devnumber, request_data, long_message)
diff --git a/tests/logitech_receiver/test_base.py b/tests/logitech_receiver/test_base.py
index a8a79152..0575b770 100644
--- a/tests/logitech_receiver/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/logitech_receiver/test_base.py
@@ -22,3 +22,11 @@ def test_product_information(usb_id, expected_name, expected_receiver_kind):
 
     if expected_receiver_kind:
         assert res["receiver_kind"] == expected_receiver_kind
+
+
+def test_get_next_sw_id():
+    res1 = base._get_next_sw_id()
+    res2 = base._get_next_sw_id()
+
+    assert res1 == 2
+    assert res2 == 3