Automatic localization of a physical network fault at runtime

A method for localizing a physical network fault in a wired network having a plurality of network participants, the method comprising:

• detecting by a first network participant whether communication with a second network participant and a third network participant is disrupted;
• detecting by the second network participant whether communication with the first network participant and the third network participant is disrupted;
• automatically reducing, based on the detection by the first and/or second network participant, a baud rate with which the first network participant transmits data to the second and third network participants and with which the second network participant transmits data to the first and third network participant;
• establishing a connection between the first network participant and the second network participant with the reduced baud rate;
• detecting by the first network participant and/or the second network participant that communication with the third network participant is not possible with the reduced baud rate;
• and
• storing information on the impossibility of communication with the third network participant.