Abstract: A nip forming device includes an endless belt that is flexible and rotates. A nip formation pad is disposed opposite an inner circumferential face of the endless belt. A pressure rotator rotates and presses against the nip formation pad via the endless belt to form a nip between the endless belt and the pressure rotator, through which a conveyed object is conveyed. A housing supports the pressure rotator. A separator is disposed downstream from the nip in a conveyance direction in which the conveyed object is conveyed. The separator separates the conveyed object from the endless belt. The separator moves toward and away from the endless belt. A restrictor restricts motion of the separator that moves toward the endless belt. The restrictor is mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A heating device includes a rotator, a pressure rotator, a heater, a holder, and lubricant. The heater inside the rotator forms a sliding nip between the rotator and the heater. The heater includes a resistive heat generator inside the sliding nip. The lubricant is applied to the inner surface of the rotator and a sliding surface of the heater. The lubricant is held in a lubricant holding region outside the sliding nip and between the rotator and the heater. An application quantity P of the lubricant satisfies the following. A×X1×B×C?P?D×C where A is a height of irregularities on the inner surface of the rotator, X1 is a longitudinal length of the rotator, B is a circumferential length of the rotator, C is a specific weight of the lubricant, and D is a volume of the lubricant holding region.

Abstract: A fixing device includes a rotator (20, 120), an opposed rotator (21, 93), a heater (22), a housing (40), a resistor (42), a separator (41), and a biasing member (44). The opposed rotator is opposite the rotator. The heater includes a resistive heat generator (31). The heater is in direct contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator or in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rotator via a conductive member (28, 36) to heat the rotator. The housing is conductive and grounded. The resistor is in the housing. The separator is conductive and is in contact with the rotator. The separator is assembled into the housing via the resistor. The biasing member biases the separator against the rotator. The biasing member is assembled into the housing via the resistor.

Abstract: A control apparatus executes configuration processing that includes applying filters for blocking input and output of a test packet to ports associated with the packet forwarding devices, except for one or more ports on an assumed forwarding route in a section targeted for a forwarding status determination and configuring the packet forwarding device located at an end port of the section so that the test packet that arrives at the end port is forwarded to the control apparatus, executes communication processing that includes transmitting the test packet from the communication circuit to a start port of the section, and executes determination processing that includes determining that packet forwarding is performed normally in the section, upon receipt of the test packet via the communication circuit after the transmission of the test packet.