Identify Automation Server IP address to retrieve the password reset Session ID

[GavinHe]

Issue

How can the IP address of a Standalone Automation Server be determined so that the password reset session ID can be retrieved?

Product Line

EcoStruxure Building Operation

Environment

Automation Server

Cause

Due to the lack of available information regarding the Standalone Automation Server, it is not possible to determine its IP address. Beginning with version 3.2, a password is required to log in via USB in order to obtain the IP address. Consequently, obtaining the session ID is not feasible under these circumstances.

Resolution

To reliably obtain the IP address of the controller, an alternative discovery method should be employed. The most robust and effective approach is to perform network traffic analysis using Wireshark. By monitoring broadcast or ARP packets during the controller's startup or communication phase, the IP address can be identified. 

Prerequisites:

• Access to the device’s physical label to obtain its MAC address.
• Administrative access to a PC on the same network segment as the device.

Procedure:

1. Obtain the Device MAC Address:
   • Locate the MAC address on the device’s label (e.g., 00:80:f4:46:d6:d2).

2. Network Setup:
   • Connect both the device and the PC to the same network segment (broadcast domain).
   • For optimal results and minimal background traffic, connect the device directly.
3. Start Packet Capture:
   • Launch Wireshark on the PC.
   • Select the appropriate network adapter and begin capturing traffic.
4. Power Cycle the Device:
   • Reboot or power cycle the device to initiate network communication.
5. Apply MAC Address Filter:
   • In Wireshark, use a display filter to isolate traffic from the device’s MAC address, e.g. eth.addr == 00:80:f4:46:d6:d2 or eth.addr == 00-80-f4-46-d6-d2 (It is possible to use either colon or dash notation)
6. Identify the Device IP Address:
   • Observe the captured packets for DHCP, ARP, or other IP-based communications from the device.
   • The source or destination IP address in these packets will reveal the device’s assigned IP.

Next Steps for the EcoStruxure Automation Server:

• Once the device IP is identified, access the EcoStruxure BMS Server.
• Set the server to Password Reset Mode.
• After resetting the password, Copy the Session ID  as required.