Cannot Connect to Platform on New or Factory-Restored JACE‑8000

[RandyDavis]

Issue

A new or factory-restored JACE‑8000 can be pinged, but platform connection fails.
The device reports an incorrect system time (year 2020 or later), and diagnostic logs show policy file verification errors. The niagarad service does not start.

Product Line

TAC IA Series.

Environment

I/A Series Jace-8000

Cause

This issue occurs when the Real Time Clock (RTC) date is December 30, 2020 or later.
Niagara 4.1 performs improper verification of code signing timestamps. When the RTC reports a date beyond the timestamp validity window, the platform rejects policy files and fails during daemon initialization.

Error examples:

• policy file verification failed
• java.security failed signing verification
• throwable occurred while initializing daemon (java.lang.SecurityException)
• niagarad no longer running

This behavior is associated with NCCB‑19628, corrected in Niagara 4.2.36.10.

Resolution

1. Connect via Debug Port
   Use the JACE‑8000 debug port and a serial terminal (for example, PuTTY) to access the system shell.
   Refer to the System Shell section of the JACE‑8000 Install and Startup Guide.

2. Correct the System Clock
   Within the system shell, manually set the RTC date to a value prior to 2020.

3. Commission with Niagara 4.2 or Newer
   Once corrected, commission the JACE‑8000 with Niagara 4.2 or later, which includes the fix for NCCB‑19628.