VAB problem - want to attach four docking ports simultaneously

[THX1138]

I'm trying to assemble something for launch which will be rearranged in orbit. It's too large to assemble in the VAB in the form I want it to ultimately take so I'm forced to do it this way.

In the picture you can see two units of which I want a total of eight. I want them to be connected side by side using the four docking ports (one at each corner) but it won't let me connect them. Is there a way to do this or is it forbidden to connect things with four docking ports simultaneously?

Edit - it seems to have something to do with the limited number of green balls you get when you copy a collection of components. Is there a way to specify where I want the green connection balls to be?

Edited January 29, 2015 by THX1138

[Alshain]

Short answer: you can't.

However, if you attach just one docking port, on launch they might just dock to each other as long as they are close enough.

Long Answer: You can only attach to with one node on a given part/assembly. This unfortunately prohibits "circular" construction.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Alshain

[StormKat]

What if you attach a scrap part like a girder or tank to one of those docking ports and then use root tool to make that scrap part the root of your assembly?

Then detach the docking port from the scrap part and save it as a sub-assembly.

Attach the sub-assembly back to the scrap part, the attach another sub-assembly, etc.

Edited January 28, 2015 by StormKat