Apparatus and method for locating faults in ethernet ring networks

An apparatus for isolating a fault in a communication network comprising:

• a plurality of processing devices having at least one communication port connected to the communication network;
• a controller connected to the plurality of processing devices and to the communication network, wherein the controller acts as an entry and exit point for the communication network;
• a memory containing a fault detection program;
• a processor operably connected to the memory and the communication network, the processor configured to execute the fault detection program to:
• request an operational status of the at least one communication port of each of the plurality of processing devices by sending a status request to each of the plurality of processing devices via the communication network;
• receive the operational status of the at least one communication port from each of the plurality of processing devices;
• and
• isolate, based on the received operational status of the at least one communication port, the fault in the communication network between two processing devices of the plurality of processing devices.