Issue Continuum CX/BCX controller provides up to 12 SNMP NMS notification devices (2 devices IP addresses in controller's non-volatile memory and 10 devices' IP addresses in volatile memory), but its SNMP Alarming configuration page shows only two edit boxes for the IP address of the NMS devices (destination IP of the notification) to be set in non-volatile memory. Where should the rest of the 10 devices' IP addresses be set? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CX controllers BCX controllers NC2 controllers ACX57xx controllers Cause Continuum CX/BCX controller's SNMP Alarming configuration page shows only two edit boxes for the IP address of the NMS devices (IP address of the destination devices of the notification) to be set. Resolution The first two(2) NMS Devices IP addresses are saved in non-volatile memory of the controller by entering them on the SNMP configuration page of either the Command Terminal Interface (hyper terminal for the 1st Gen controllers) or the Configuration WebPage interface (web browser for the 2nd Gen controller). The 10 rest NMS devices' IP addresses are saved in volatile memory of the controller by entering them on accNotifyTable using the NMS software's MIB Browser. Please refer to the attached "SNMP Configuration.pdf" file page 21 for an example of the MG_Soft MIB Browser in that regard.

Issue When using the Modbus RTU and Modbus IP XDrivers it is important to determine which controller and port can support the electrical standards used by the 3rd party device. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Netcontroller II and bCX1 controllers that have been XDriver enabled. XDriver, Modbus RTU, IP, Infilink, Infilink200, B-Link. RS-232, RS-485 JBUS Cause Controller ports and 3rd party devices come in various electrical standards (RS-232, RS-485, RS-422), which ports support the various standards? Resolution There are two Continuum Modbus XDrivers: Modbus RTU: This allows the connection of 3rd party Modbus RTU slaves via the serial data RS-232, RS-485 or RS-422 electrical standards. RS-232 is a point to point connection to 1 device, RS-485 & RS-422 support a bus topology for connection of multiple 3rd party devices. The Continuum controller will be the Modbus RTU Master and will poll the 3rd party device that must be a slave. The bCX1-CR controllers have 2 ports that can be configured for Modbus: Comm1 RS-232 Comm2 RS-232 or RS-485 port The Netcontroller II controllers support: Comm1 - RS-232 or RS-485 Comm2 - RS-485 Comm3 - RS-232 Comm4 - RS-422 The ACX57xx controllers support: Comm1 - RS-485 Notes An Infilink200 or B-Link may be used to convert RS-232 to RS-485 if required. The J Bus protocol is a subset of the Modbus protocol and so the Modbus XDriver is used for J Bus Systems. Modbus IP: The bCX1, ACX57xx and the Netcontroller II all support the Modbus IP protocol that connect via the Ethernet IP connection. This XDriver can be configured to support either Client or Server modes. Although the communication is physically via the Ethernet port, one of the Serial ports is required to be X Driver enabled to load the software, this serial port is then no longer available for other purposes. This XDriver requires Ethernet X Driver support to be enabled on the port. NOTE Netcontroller II and bCX1 can have an XDriver ENABLED on more than a one Comms port, however only one IP XDriver should be INSTALLED on each controller, also only one Modbus RTU XDriver should be INSTALLED on each controller. It is possible to INSTALL a Modbus RTU and a Modbus TCP/IP XDriver on a single controller, but it would be very easy to overload the controller, so this setup is only suitable for smaller networks. (note the difference between enabling XDriver support and Installing an XDriver) See Articles Can multiple Modbus TCP/IP XDrivers be installed on a single 2nd Generation NetController? and BCX Controller can use Comm 1, Comm2, or both ports for Modbus RTU X-Driver  

Issue Can TAC BACnet (Viconics) thermostats have identical names or device ids within sub networks using their default names? Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Viconic BACnet Thermostats BACnet BCX B4 MSTP Cause Viconic stats need a unique address and unique name across the entire BACnet network. Resolution BACnet Viconics thermostats must have a unique name and device id across the entire BACnet network. The BACnet data link layer has two key parameters: the device object name and the device object ID. The device object name must be unique from any other BACnet device object name on the BACnet network (i.e. not just the MS/TP sub-network). Typically this question comes up because a thermostat will not come online. Run an acctrace during the Find and you will probably see a duplicate MAC address. Once you have given unique names and comm addresses to each of the thermostats on the entire BACnet network, these devices should communicate and come online properly. Each of the Viconic stats are given a unique name that includes the address (once it has been made unique) To change the communication address: Hold down the menu button until the option for menu comes up Answer the questions for the various options and eventually you will be brought to change comm address. Change Comm address, select Yes and then use the up or down arrows to give this MSTP Viconic stat a unique address. There is a Configuration Tool to access and edit the name and device id unique naming scheme. Click here for ViconicsConfigurationTool.zip. Installing and using the Viconics Configuration Tool on a Windows Laptop  You will need a serial adapter connection to tie into the MSTP bus that the thermostat(s) are connected to Select the Viconics folder > ViconicsConfigurationTool.zip You can install this ZIP file in any directory you wish, but the bacdocm.ini file must be installed on your C:\Windows directory. Use the bacdocm.ini file to configure your network settings at the Configurator Tool level. You can set the MAC address of your tool, the baud rate of your connection (max 38400 - limited by the RS-232 to RS485 port and Windows) etc. The "Our Device Instance" value represents the MAC address of the tool which must be unique on the MSTP network. Also the "MaxMaster" value must be set to a higher value than the highest MAC value on the MSTP network. You can edit this INI file to modify your settings OR you can modify the settings by going though the BACdoor Configuration Tool. Once you launch the Configuration Tool, you'll notice a white applet appearing at the right bottom of your screen. That is the BACdoor MSTP sniffer that actually looks for devices and objects. If you click on that icon, and select the "Configure" tab, a configuration window will be displayed. Select the baud rate at which you want to communicate with your device. This BACdoor configuration does the same thing as changing the BACDOCM.ini file (if properly located in C\Windows). Launch the Configurator Tool application. It automatically looks for devices on that network (at the baud rate set in the bacdocm.ini file or in the BACdoor Configuration window). If no device is detected an error message will pop-up after 1-2 minutes. All discovered devices will show up in the "Device List" you have to "Connect to device" in order to list all the objects of that device. After you changed the Baud Rate, you have to click on the "Apply changes" button. Don't forget that the max speed of this tool is 38400. For the first connection, you need to power cycle the thermostat (if it was running at 76800 previously) so that it auto-detects the 38.4 network. Once you set it to 76.8, you can not connect to that thermostat with the tool because of that 38.4 limitation. Also this tool does not support Read Multiple Property so it reads every property of every object one at a time. In its default mode of operation, the device will automatically match its baud rate to the baud rate of the network. Automatic baud rate detection will occur when the MS/TP communication port is initialized (on power up). If the network speed is changed, the device will keep listening at the previously detected speed for 10 minutes before resuming auto-bauding. Re-powering the devices will force right away auto-bauding. SE7xxx series requires the tool. The SE8xxx series does not as access is available through the menu on the device.

Issue How do you determine how large a database will grow when using Continuum? How do you know if a Stand Alone or LAN install should be used? Which version of Microsoft SQL Server is needed? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 MSDE SQL Express SQL Server Standard SQL Server Enterprise Cause A database will grow based on the number of objects and logging requirements for a project. Estimating how much a database will grow over time based on the number of controllers, points and logging should be done to determine which Microsoft Database solution is needed for the site. Microsoft has placed database size limitations on the free versions of their database engines called MSDE and SQL Server Express. The size limitations are 2 and 4 gigabytes respectively. If this size limitation is exceeded, it can produce unwanted results including database corruption. If the estimated size of a database over time exceeds these limitations then a full Microsoft SQL version must be implemented. Resolution An Excel spreadsheet has been developed to help evaluate the size of a Continuum database, to determine if a Stand Alone or LAN is needed and which version of SQL should be used. The Continuum database estimating spreadsheet takes into consideration 6 main areas: Extended Logs- total amount of logs, intervals and the number of days to retain  Access Events- total amount of access events and the number of days to retain Alarm Events- total number of alarms and the number of days to retain Error Events- total number of Cyberstation errors and the number of days to retain Activity Events- total number of Activity events of all Continuum users and the number of days to retain Continuum Database objects- Total number of Netcontrollers, Infinet, BCXs , mstp controllers, total number of inputs, outputs and numerics. Any of the objects not mentioned above. Consider all objects not mentioned above The number of data logs, extended log intervals, number of days to retain data and other estimation information can be inserted into the spreadsheet. The sheet will calculate the information and do the following: Estimate the space required for that object type and the sum of all object types Indicate if a Stand Alone or LAN system is needed Indicate which version of SQL Server is needed Download the Continuum Database Size Estimation Tool.

Issue "Invalid attribute property" error when trying to create NetController II in Continuum v1.74 SP2 as Controller Type "9681". Environment Continuum v1.74 SP2 NetController II Cause Trying to create new NetController II device object with a "Controller Type" of "9681". "A Guide to Version 1.74 Support for NetController II and ACX 57xx" states that there is only one NetController model, the CX 9680. Please ignore references to the 9681. Resolution Create the Netcontroller II as  a Controller Type "9680" as stated on page 15 in document number 30-3001-1001 "A Guide to Version 1.74 Support for NetController II and ACX 57xx".

Issue The user logged into Windows doesn't have permissions to the folder that contains the Continuum.mnu file,  the file is set to read only or the path in the continuum.mnu is incorrect. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Permissions are restricted to the Continuum.mnu file or the path in it is incorrect. Resolution One of the follow solutions will resolve this: Click to download an edited default path Continuum.mnu and Menu.bmp  (links for the default path C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum) Copy these files to each workstation that has an incorrect path Manually edit the file yourself if you have a path that is other than (C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum) Grant permissions to the folder. The folder that contains the Continuum.mnu can be located by editing the Cyberstation in Continuum Explorer. WS Edit> Preferences tab> The file name of the main menu  Ex. c:\program files\continuum\userprofile\continuum.mnu Right click on Continuum.mnu and select properties. Deselect Read Only if it is selected. Change the path to the Continuum.mnu file to a folder that you have access to and copy the continuum.mnu to it. Ex. c:\program files\continuum\continuum.mnu While in edit mode, right click on each of the buttons and select Properties Use the browse button to select the correct x86 path (C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum) Repeat this for each of the buttons and then save the Continuum.mnu file Copy these files to each workstation that has an incorrect path Also see Continuum.mnu file with C:\program files (x86) on 64 bit PCs points to C:\program Files and shows a blank screen.

Issue As part of a site power feed problem investigation where varistors are being blown, how are they connected to the power feed? Environment i2920, b3920, b4920. Cause When a site is experiencing power problems and the mains input varistors blow, it is required to know how the damaged varistor is connected. Resolution The 3 varistors are connected between: Live and Earth, Neutral and Earth, Live and Neutral. The attached sketch shows how  the 3 varistors are connected. The connections are the same for the i2920 and b4920.

Issue How can I run Windows programs from a workstation plain english program? Environment Cyberstation Plain English Windows programs Cause Launching windows programs from Continuum Resolution Please see this link for information on using the Shell plain english function NOTE A Plain English script can be added to some graphics objects (Plain English Script tab), so for example you could run a batch file (in the continuum directory) from a graphics button using Shell "test.bat"

Issue General use of the Wireshark program. Product Line Access Expert, Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Pelco, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Ethernet Networks Cause General Information on using WireShark. Resolution Wireshark is an Ethernet packet analysis programme, Which can be downloaded from: Latest version available from Wireshark Locally stored version 1.0.9 Installing Wireshark If necessary, unzip the WireShark executable file to a suitable location on the PC/Laptop you wish the programme to be installed on. Run the executable file and follow the on-screen instructions. Rules for capturing LAN traffic using Wireshark: Do not use a switch or router to connect the LAN capture PC to the network as these will filter important network activity that you will need to see. You will want to capture everything that is passing over the network at the point of concern. Usually, this means tapping into the ethernet at the Controller or controllers, that is having an issue. midBit-Technologies-LLC-10-100 is an example of a device that can be used to easily tap into the network to take the capture. The monitoring PC must see all traffic from the controller's point of view. The monitoring PC can be connected in either two ways: Connected to the network at the controller The customers IT department can mirror all the network traffic from the controllers port to another port the PC can be connected to. If connected to the network at the controllers, the connection must be made through a true ethernet hub. A hub will not selectively filter important network traffic as a switch or a router will do. More information on what a "true ethernet hub" can be found at http://wiki.wireshark.org/HubReference There are however some switches that feature port mirroring, please see How to Configure a NETGEAR Prosafe Plus Switch for Mirroring. If connected to a mirrored port, the port must mirror 100% of the network traffic to and from the controller. No filtering should be done. Once a complete capture file has been obtained it can be filtered after the fact using WireShark or EtherReal. Using Wireshark Run WireShark Start a trace by choosing the "Capture" menu and then select "Interfaces" Choose the appropriate interface. Generally, this can be identified by its IP Address, but if not, then the packets increasing are an indication. Press the "Start" button. The trace will start and will be similar to the following screenshot. After an appropriate time, the trace can be stopped by selecting "Capture" menu and "Stop" To save the capture file, choose "File" menu and "Save As".

Issue How are the bits allocated in a 26bit Wiegand card format? Environment Access control peripherals data format Cause Although this is an openly published data format, sometimes the actual data bit format is required. Resolution The Wiegand 26 bit format consists of 24 bits of data and 2 Parity bits (Odd and Even) The 24 data bits are split between 8 bits for the Site code and 16 bits for the card number. Giving a card number range of 1 to 65535, and a site code range of 1 to 255. A spreadsheet defining the format can be downloaded here.

Issue Alarms cannot be created in a BACnet b3 controller because the fields are grayed out. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation b3 BACnet MS/TP controllers Cause Alarms are created differently in a BACnet controller than with an Infinet controller.  These fields are grayed out since they are not used for alarm creation in a BACnet controller. Resolution There are instructions in the BACnet section in the Continuum help for creating an event notification and then mapping the point and the event notification within an alarm enrolment. For an example see AlarmCreatingAndConfiguring BACnet.doc

Issue OPC Server with third party and alternatives Product Line Andover Continuum, TAC INET Environment System requiring third party connectivity Cause OPC Server to communicate between hardware and the iBMS (intelligent Building Management System). Resolution The OPC server is a software program that converts hardware communication protocol into the OPC protocol. The OPC client software is any program that needs to connect to the hardware. The OPC client uses the OPC server to get data from or send commands to the hardware. OPC Client Servers are used to communicate between BACnet IP interfaces and iBMS (intelligent Building Management System) programs such as TAC I/NET or Andover Continuum. There is also no Continuum OPC Client software to use for a direct OPC link. The best way to integrate from 3rd party EIB or OPC protocols is using BACnet IP on Continuum; there are third party interfaces and gateways that will convert to BACnet/IP and others that go from OPC Client/ Server to BACnet/IP. I/NET OPC For I/NET a great solution is to install a Xenta 913 controller which gives the capability to go with Modbus or BACnet/IP to third party solutions. The I/NET to Xenta 913 allows communication with Continuum BCX, StruxureWare AS-B, and other 3rd Party solutions. Continuum OPC Standard 3rd party gateways are established to communicate between the protocols such as BACnet and Modbus. Andover Continuum has an OPC Server available here. The hardware requirements are Windows NT 4.0 or Win2K. If wanting to run on XP or newer operating systems, please be aware that no testing has not been done with these OS. For more info on the OPC and XDriver, please see OPC Server Integration. Only one instance of the OPC server on a computer. Each system would need a separate PC with license key to connect to the individual systems and host controllers. The Andover Controls OPC server must be running a separate 3rd Party OPC client computer and cannot be on the same computer as CyberStation. From there it is configured to retrieve point values from a the suggested dedicated Infinity (CX) Controller. It is suggested to install a OPC gateway Infinity Controller since this controller will constantly be busy with OPC traffic. Therefore it is the separate third party vendor computer which requires the ACC OPC Server security key, not Cyberstation security key. Both USB and parallel port keys are available. If no choice is available for OS, one alternative is to check on 3rd party OPC servers like Kepware and Matrikon. Note: For Continuum, determine which one of your controllers will become the “Primary Controller” The Server requires that you designate one external Andover Controls Infinity or Continuum controller located on the same network as its “Primary Controller.” This controller must have had the network taught to it prior to selection. (This is done through the “Teach” function in the workstation.) The Server gets its information about the network through this controller. This suggested single controller is designated as the interface through which all point access is obtained. Controller Type Select the type of network where the controller is located. For a NetController, b4920, CX9702 or upgraded Infinity controllers that can be connected to a Continuum network you would select “Continuum”. For older Infinity controllers, select Infinity. Works with any IP level controller. There is no limit on the quantity, but rather it depends on how you tune.

Issue The purpose of this verification checklist is to provide documentation to the Project Manager that the Site Engineer has confirmed the Continuum Security configuration. Basic Settings Access Events Reporting Alarm Event Notification and Alarm Enrollments Door Alarms Other Alarms Time Sync Video including Pelco Digital Sentry IP Camera System Administrative Tasks Other Tasks Basic Checklist Access Events Reporting Checklist Alarm Event Notification and Alarm Enrollments Checklist Door Alarm Checklist Other Alarm Checklist Time Sync Checklist Video Checklist Administrative Tasks Checklist Other Tasks Checklist Environment Continuum with Security enabled Pelco Digital Sentry IP Camera System Cause Beneficial checklist for Verification of security site settings. Resolution Please find the attached pdf document which will walk you through the Continuum Security Checklist. The first section provides step by step instructions for novice users. The second section is the actual checklist where each task should be initialed by the Site Engineer, and the whole document signed by the Site Engineer and the Project Manager. To print the Checklist section of this procedure, start printing on page 21 of the attached checklist. Please find the attached pdf document which will guide you through a Pelco Digital Sentry IP Camera System Quick-Setup

Issue IOU Modules power requirement Environment CX9900 CX9940 CX9980 ACC LON IOU Modules Cause Limit on AC power supply capacity. Resolution See "Maximum number of I/O modules' in the I-O System Reference Guide document.

Issue What is the part number for a flying lead temp sensor for Continuum? Environment Measuring air temperature in fan coil applications or exhaust ducts Cause On site or inability to find the HVAC Sensor Catalogue Resolution STD550 The 550 is intended for measuring air temperature in fan coil applications or exhaust ducts. The sensor, which are made of stainless steel, is delivered with a 2m (6.5 ft.) cable, PVC sheathed overall. Mounting details such as screw and clamp are included with the product. Description Duct Temperature Sensor STD550 Order Code 5123058400 Part Number STD550 For Continuum Systems   HVAC Sensor Catalog in pdf format

Issue iClass Reader consolidation Environment Electronic Access Control Continuum & I/Net readers Cause HID has discontinued some of the iClass readers. Resolution The following 2 links cover the parts obsoleted and their replacements: PA-000336: Schneider Electric Part Numbers PA-00172: HID Part Numbers

Issue Liebert CRAC units will store multiple binary alarm points in one 8 bit Modbus register. How can I read each bit and set values for each alarm point in Continuum? Environment CyberStation Modbus RTU Xdriver Liebert CRAC Units bCX and CX controllers Cause Liebert CRAC units will store multiple binary alarm points in one 8 bit Modbus register. How can I read each bit and set values for each alarm point in Continuum? Resolution Using a PE program you can efficiently poll one register and update multiple alarm points in Continuum. The attached program polls the Modbus Xdriver to get the value of an xdriver point just once and then sets the value to the local numeric ReadRegister###.  The individual bits of the ReadRegister### are then written to the alarm points. This reduces the number of polling requests to the xDriver for the same point A dump file for the points referenced in the program is also included in the attachment.

Issue How to configure a Pinpoint button to open a PDF file. Environment CyberStation Cause How does one open a PDF from Pinpoint? Resolution Use an active button control. See attached screenshot for an example of launching the file c:\3.pdf with Adobe Reader X

Issue Access Control power supplies in UK are not available globally. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum ACX57 CX9702 PSU Power supply Continuum enclosures Cause Power supplies for access control systems (for powering of door locks/maglocks etc) should be purchased locally. Resolution All of the globally available enclosures are detailed in the Enclosure Family Datasheet. This includes ones suitable for Netcontrollers, ACX's, bCX's, i2 and VAV controllers. Power supplies for access control systems (for powering of door locks/maglocks etc) should be purchased locally to suit the site applications. Product Support Services does not keep records of the equipment that may have been purchased locally. e.g. in the UK a company called Dantech is used for Enclosures and power supplies, please contact them directly if PSU connection details are required. Dantech electronic engineering 3 Galliford Road Industrial Estate Heybridge Maldon Essex CM9 4XD Tel: +44(0)1621856850 NOTE: The Dantech PSUs often include FR contacts (Fire Relay) that need to be powered by 12Vdc to enable the supply.

Issue Is there a template to help create the custom AccessFormat array? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Creating a Custom Card, Access Format array for non standard Wiegand formats Cause As there is sometimes confusion on the way that the bits are counted from 0 or 1 and how to use a Plain English program to initialize the array an easy way to lay out the data would be useful. Resolution The attached Excel spreadsheet works as a template to enter the Access Format data. Click here to download Format Template.xls. Enter your required Wiegand format bit definition in the box at the top, then this will allow you to define the numbers to go in the AccessFormat array lower left, which automatically fills in the example program on the right. Also see: Setting up a custom Wiegand format access cardfor information on setting up an AccessFormat array. Determining Custom Card formats on Deciphering Custom Card formats. What is the range of Wiegand Card numbers and Site Codes I can use on Continuum? on maximum card numbers.