How to transfer a XBuilder project to a different type of Xenta Server

[Product_Support]

Issue

Prior to XBuilder 5.1.1, it was not possible to change the type of an Xenta Server in an XBuilder project once it had been created.  Sometimes there is a need to move the project to a different type of Xenta Server without losing all the links and bindings within the project.

Environment

Xenta Server

XBuilder 5.1.0 or earlier

Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913

Cause

In XBuilder 5.1.0 or earlier, it is not possible to edit the Xenta Server type in the network pane of the XBuilder project

Resolution

Upgrading to Vista/XBuilder 5.1.1 or later will allow you to easily change the device type directly from XBuilder.  Note that this must be done from an XBuilder project that is saved to the computer. If the project is in a Vista database start by opening the XBuilder project, clicking on File > Save as and then save it to the computer. Then, close XBuilder, reopen XBuilder and open up the saved copy of the XBuilder project from the PC. In the XBuilder Project menu select 'Change Target type...'.  Choose your preferred target device from the drop-down list.

If it is not possible to upgrade, the following instructions allow an XBuilder project to be transferred to a different type of Xenta Server without losing graphic bindings or bindings between objects on the System pane and the Network pane.  The one proviso is that the target Xenta Server's hardware must be able to support any network defined in the source project and have the same or better Menta and User graphic capabilities.

There are many different combinations of Server types and BMS platforms that these instructions could apply to in general.

The example given here transfers an Xenta 555 project to an Xenta 731.  The Xenta 555 has a Lonworks network and a Modbus network and is part of a Vista database.

Creating the Xenta 731 in the Vista database:

1. Open the Vista database containing the Xenta 555 project.
2. Right-click on the 555 and select Edit from the dropdown menu.
3. The XBuilder project opens.  Keep this open for the following steps.
4. In the Vista database create a new Xenta 731.  The name is not important but it should be similar but not identical to the 555 it will replace.

Transferring the Lonworks network to the Xenta 731:

1. In Vista, drag and drop the LON network from the 555 to the 731.
2. Right-click on the 731 and select Edit from the dropdown menu.
3. The 731 project opens in a new instance of XBuilder.  Rename the default folder in the system pane to the same name as the top level folder in the 555 project.
4. In the 731 project right-click on the LON object in the Network pane.  Select 'Refresh network from TAC Vista'.

Transferring the Modbus network to the Xenta 731:

1. In the 555 project, right-click a Modbus device and select 'Edit Device template'
2. When the device editor opens, select File | Save as..
3. Save the file in the default location with the default name.
4. Repeat steps 2 to 3 for all Modbus devices in the network.
5. In the 731 project recreate the Modbus network using the templates just saved.

    Transferring the System objects to the Xenta 731:

1. In the 555 project, right-click an object below the top level folder and select 'Copy'.
2. Move focus to the 731 project, right-click on the top level folder and select 'Paste'.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each object and folder below the top level in the 555 project.  Selecting a folder also selects all the objects and folders beneath it.  Although it is possible to copy the top level folder in the 555 project, it is not possible to paste it into the 731 project.
4. Graphics bindings are retained and the reference paths are automatically updated with the new network tree i.e. 'TAC_Xenta_555' is replaced with 'TAC_Xenta_731'.
5. Some object bindings will be broken e.g. Time objects.  These must be rebound manually.
6. When all objects have been copied across and rebound if necessary, close the 555 project.

Deleting the Xenta 555 and downloading the project to the Xenta 731:

1. In the Vista database, delete the Xenta 555.
2. Generate the 731 project.  There will be a warning message offering to copy the original TGML files to the new default location.  Select 'Yes'.
3. The 731 project should now generate without errors.
4. Download the project to the Xenta 731.

If the 555 only contains a Modbus network, a similar methodology will also work with standalone 555 and 731 projects.