Abstract:
A fault-spot locating method, comprising at a switching apparatus that includes an interface for connection to a master, which is a controlling object, and a plurality of ports for connection to a slave, which is a controlled object, providing another interface used to output information indicating an operation of the switching apparatus and received data, and causing the switching apparatus to transmit the information via the another interface, using a processor. And causing an apparatus that is capable of obtaining the information transmitted via the another interface to locate a spot where a fault has possibly occurred by using the information to check the received data and the operation of the switching apparatus caused by a command from the master, using the processor.