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Label: "tac vista"

View in: "Building Automation Knowledge Base" | Community

2045 Posts | First Used: 2018-09-06

Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Check the current size of the SQL database associated with a Vista database to ensure that it hasn't become full. Product Line TAC Vista Environment SQL Cause The SQL database that installs automatically with Vista has limitations on the amount of data it can hold. Most often, this is plenty of space for many years of trending without issue. But if a site is very old or has many trend logs defined, it can out grow the SQL database. Limits are: Vista IV - Vista 5.0.0 MSDE: 2 GB Vista 5.0.1 - 5.1.6 SQL 2005 Express: 4 GB Vista 5.1.7 and newer SQL 2008 Express: 10 GB Resolution This procedure checks the log size from the Vista Workstation: In Vista Workstation, click on the Vista Server in the folder pane Right click on $Backup_LDB and select Properties Scroll to the bottom and make note of the Database Size property (shown in grey). This is the size of the database in MB. This procedure checks the file size on the hard drive. The assumption has been made that this is not a custom install, but the default SQL installed with Vista Server: Open Windows Explorer Navigate to C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL.1\MSSQL\Data Locate files: taclogdata.mdf taclogdata_log.ldf Note: If there are multiple instances of SQL installed on the PC, there may be MSSQL.1, MSSQL.2, MSSQL.3, etc. Find the SQL instance that contains the file names listed above. Highlight both files and look at the bottom of the window on the status bar. The combined size of these two files is shown. This can be used to determine is the SQL database is full and requires a purge. To purge a Vista IV SQL database, see How to create a new database or purge a full SQL (i.e. it has hit the limit of 2G) in Vista IV. To purge a Vista 5 SQL database, see Vista 5 full SQL database issue. If purging is not an option, then the SQL will need to be upgraded to a full version of SQL (not express). To see the different options, see Vista Database Sizing and SQL Server Selection.

Issue In the alarm window of TAC Workstation, there is a system alarm that is Physical device no defined/configured. After you acknowledge it, it will occur again. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista workstation Xenta 280/300/401 Xenta server LOYTEC NIC-USB Cause The controller address cannot be verified correctly in TAC Workstation. For example, a TAC Xenta Group name or number is in conflict with another TAC Xenta Group’s. Resolution If multiple TAC Xenta Groups or Lonworks networks are created, you must verify the Lonworks network’s name or TAC Xenta Group name and number is unique. The TAC Xenta Group default number is 254. The different number must be given to the different TAC Xenta Group even though the TAC Xenta Groups are beneath the different Lonworks network. You can also reference to the articles System alarm message, Physical device not defined/configured and Physical device not defined/configured about this issue.

Issue When using the "Commission and Download" command in Vista Workstation the controller being downloaded is failing with a "Completion Event Failure" and has multiple "Waiting for unit to restart" error messages. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server/Workstation Classic Network Cause The controller being downloaded and presenting with this error message typically has been functioning and communicating on the network and an application update is being downloaded. The unit is busy responding to other communication (TAC network variables, Xenta group communication, etc) and can not devote full attention to the application download. By setting the neuron status to unconfigured, the controller can focus only on the application download. Resolution Right click on the Xenta programmable controller and select Advanced Operation > Neuron Unconfigured. Right click on the Xenta programmable controller and select Commission and Download. It is unnecessary to set the Neuron status back to Configured because this is part of the Commission and Download process. Similar steps are available for a LNS network and are discussed in "Completion event failure" and/or "Waiting for device to restart" errors when downloading a previously commissioned controller.

Issue The demo license used to access the OPC server configuration must be removed from the license Files folder in the new Flexnet License Server for the service to start. Upgrade to a Vista 5.1.8 will not allow access to the OPC Server Configuration. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5.1.8 using 3rd Party OPC where Vista is a client Cause Vista.OPCTool = Allows accessing the OPC Server for configuration Vista.Server.OPCClient license= Allows a connection to get the configured OPC points into Vista. Systems engineered to use 3rd Party OPC Server may only contain a Client license for connectivity, using the Demo for the initial configuration and servicing of the OPC Server. In Vista 5.1.8, the Flexnet License Software will not allow a Demo license to be present in conjunction with a Site License. This is corrected in Vista 5.1.9. More information can be found in License troubleshooting in Vista 5.1.8 or greater. Resolution Purchase the Vista.OPCTool to add to the existing Site License file. Best practice is to have a separate folder for your demo licenses, and reference the physical path to that folder. See below: WSDKHE9781;C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric\License Files Demo

Issue Which signal types can be connected to a UI on a Xenta I/O Modules? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta 451A/452A, 421A/422A Cause UI is short for universal input, which means that these inputs are compatible with many different input types. Resolution Supported input signal types are: Thermistor: 1.8 KΩ at 25 °C or 10KΩ at 25 °C; Voltage: 0 to 10VDC; Current: 0 to 20mA; Digital Input. Refer to the following link about 1.8KΩ and 10KΩ thermistor compatibility: 1.8k Thermistor compatibility with Xenta controllers 10k Thermistor compatibility with Xenta controllers

Issue Are 8 byte unsigned integers (UI8) supported in Vista OPC client? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X Vista OPC tool Cause Not all OPC data types (canonical data types) are supported by OPC server. UI8 variables show a question in OPC tool. If the Canonical Type column shows a question mark for the variable (or tag) then this means that Vista has been unable to identify or does not support the data type. Resolution If possible divide the OPC tag/variable into 2 x 4 byte registers. It could also be worth checking what the expected maximum value is for that register and seeing if that value will fit in a UI4 (unsigned integer 4 byte). An alternative solution, although the functionality must be checked by the engineer is to create the variable object manually and use the canonical type "string". To do this follow the steps below: Note the name of the OPC variable to be added to Vista in the OPC tool browser window. Under the OPC server object in Vista create a 'Value - String' and give it the same name as the OPC variable. Hold down shift and ctrl and right-click the string value - select properties. Locate the Property RA and fill in the name of the folder, variable name and the data type in the following format: folder name.variable name|data type Example of OPC naming convention including data type, in TAC Vista. Click on OK and the variable should start updating after refreshing the folder. More information on OPC data types can be found in What does the "| n" mean when viewing the properties of an OPC variable in Vista workstation?.

Issue Trying to download a Xenta programmable controller through System Plug-In fails. Errors shown are default LNS type errors shown as: (Subsystem: NS, #59). Click okay and the next error appears (Subsystem: NS, #64). Click okay and the next error appears (Subsystem: NS, #51). Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC System Plug-In Xenta programmable controllers Xenta 280, 281, 282, 283, 300, 301, 302, 401, 401:B Cause The steps defined in this article only relate to the NS #59 error when it is received on an attempt to download a controller through the TAC Vista System Plug-In. It does not cover when this error is shown as a result of a commission attempt in an LNS environment. For the commissioning error, please see The new program interface does not match the previously defined program interface. (Subsystem: NS, #59). The cause of this particular set of errors is unknown at this time, but has been witnessed a number of times. Various troubleshooting techniques have resolved the issue. The best course of action is to try each of these methods in the order of least to most disruptive. As new techniques and procedures are discovered, they will be documented here. Resolution Remove the controller from the Vista database In the Vista System Plug-In, locate the offending controller in the right-hand TAC Pane Right click and delete the controller Update the Vista database Locate the controller in the left-hand LNS Pane Drag and drop it back into the TAC Pane Update the Vista database Attempt the download again. Remove the controller from the LNS database In LonMaker or NL220, locate the offending controller Right click and delete the controller In the Vista System Plug-In, locate the controller (which now has a red X over it) Right click and delete the controller Update the Vista database Add the controller back to the LNS database In the Vista System Plug-In, locate the controller in the left-hand LNS Pane Drag and drop it back into the TAC Pane Update the Vista database Attempt the download again Replace the controller Physically replace the controller This should be performed in conjunction with the steps listed above for removing the controller from the LNS database.

Issue When a Xenta 121-FC changes from heating to cooling the fan output turns off for 5-10 seconds. Product Line TAC Vista Environment 121-FC controller Cause The firmware version has been enhanced and this was a enhancement that has been implemented. Resolution Upgrade your 121-FC to version 1.25 (or above). Download the upgrade files from The Exchange Download Center: Xenta 121-FC Firmware Files (NXE/APB/XIF) See Downloading new NXE or APB files using Lonmaker for instructions on how to download the application to the controller using LonMaker.

Issue Periodically a computer with Vista 4.5 will start generating the message "Failed to Read Event From Event Log Database" when opening Vista Workstation. Error: "Event Receiver Failed - Could not retrieve any events from the event log". Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista IV Vista Workstation Windows Server 2003 Windows XP Cause Vista IV uses 2 users, TACA and TACM (appended with an underscore followed by the PC name e.g. "TACA_PCname"), to manage its SQL connection. Certain Automatic IT security procedures will either remove these users or revoke their administrator privileges. Resolution Option 1 Reinstall Vista. This will be required if the users TACA and TACM no longer exist. Option 2 Modify User rights for accounts TACA and TACM. This is only possible if the local user accounts have not been deleted. To do this you will need to follow the following steps: Log in as an Administrator Go to the control panel and look for the program User Accounts (also called User Profiles) Find the User TACM Select Properties In the Group Membership tab, add the user TACM to the administrator group Option 3 Upgrade to Vista 5 For either Option 1 or Option 2, you will need to contact the site IT department to ensure that this issue will not come up again. Event Receiver Failed - Could not retrieve any events from the event log may also be of interest.

Issue Get error "Local TAC Vista server not started . Cannot reserve graphic object" when trying to edit a OGC graphic from TAC Vista Workstation. Can not start OGC editor from within TAC Vista Workstation Product Line TAC Vista Environment Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008R2 Windows 7 TAC Vista Server running as a Service Cause When using Windows 2008/7 the following legacy tools can not be used when TAC Vista Server runs as a service: TA Draw, TA Main, Database Generator, LIST.EXE, IPCL Editor, Test Client and UPGRFILE.EXE. For more restrictions for Windows 2008 and Windows 2007 see the release TPA-VSTA-11-0002.01 for TAC Vista 5.1.5. Resolution Run TAC Vista Server as an application. Refer to Registering/Unregistering TAC Vista Server as a Windows service for registering/unregistering Vista Server as a service.

Issue Vista reports fail to save to the server when they are being edited from a remote workstation. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Microsoft Excel Cause When setting up remote workstations on a LAN or WAN, there are certain steps that must be taken. If the proper DCOM settings are not set up on every remote workstation as well as the computer that runs Vista server, there can be authority issues. Vista reports can be created but will not allow values or trends to be saved into the report. In some cases this has generated the error "The RPC Server is unavailable" as seen in Error: The RPC server is unavailable. Resolution On ALL remote workstations and the main server: Run DCOM Config 1.0.2.2.exe found in Helpful Vista Utilities - Configure DCOM instantly, Register ASP.NET. Either select Server-Workstation or Server-Workstation-Webstation. On the main server that will be used to run Vista Workstation: Run > dcomcnfg Expand Component Services Open Computers Right-click My Computer and choose properties Go to COM Security pane For Access Permissions and Launch and Activation Permissions choose to edit both Edit Limits... and Edit Default... Add users Anonymous and Everyone with Remote Access Go back to Component Services and open My Computer Open DCOM Config Browse for OPCEnum right-click and choose properties Go to Security pane Change the three options to Launch and Activation Permissions -Use Default Access Permissions -Use Default Configuration Permissions -Customize Choose Edit > add Anonymous and Everyone with Remote Access Go back to DCOM Config and browse for TACOS right-click and choose properties Go to Security pane Change the three options to Launch and Activation Permissions -User Default Access Permissions -User Default Configuration Permissions -Customize Choose Edit > add Anonymous and Everyone with Remote Access

Issue The TGML page is dynamic but looks static. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC Vista Environment Vista StruxureWare Interface Cause In the Release Note, page 30 says: It is possible to navigate to a TAC Vista Webstation TGML Graphic through a link in a SmartStruxure TGML Graphic. To achieve this connection a link object is created in the SmartStruxure TGML Graphic which is linked to a SmartStruxure hyperlink object that holds the TAC Vista Webstation TGML Graphic page address. Example of a hyperlink objects address in SmartStruxure that is linked to a TGML Graphic in TAC Vista: HTTP://ip_address/webstation/LoginPage.aspx?page=TgmlGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 Note: This will always require a login by a valid TAC Vista user, even if the TAC Vista Webstation auto login feature has been activated. Resolution The example link above is referring to a static page. For example, if the TGML page is dynamic, you will see the following in the copied link (see bold). HTTP://ip_address/webstation/LoginPage.aspx?page=TgmldynamicGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 You can also read the following in the release note: In order to determine the TAC Vista Webstation URL for a TAC Vista Webstation TGML Graphic the following TAC Vista Web Setting configuration must be in place: Optimized TGML Loading is deactivated Folders pane is set to Standard HTML With these settings it is possible to right-click a TGML object in the folders pane and select "Copy Shortcut." This will copy the TAC Vista Webstation URL to the clipboard and it can then be pasted into a SmartStruxure hyperlink object address field. After the shortcut has been pasted, it will have to be modified in order for the TAC Vista TGML Graphic to be displayed properly in SmartStruxure. The modification is marked with bold in the example below: Copied: HTTP://ip_address/webstation/TgmlGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 Modified: HTTP://ip_address/webstation/TgmlGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 If the link you copied was a dynamic TGML the link will look like: HTTP://ip_address/webstation/TgmldynamicGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 and should be modified as this HTTP://ip_address/webstation/LoginPage.aspx?page=TgmldynamicGraphicsPage.aspx?objectId=3074949137 Also reference the TAC Vista Webstation Graphics Links and SmartStruxure Integration tool on the Community.

Issue When Remote Alarm Manager attempts to initialise the GSM modem it fails during reset command. Modem will reset correctly if the same commands are sent from a terminal emulation program. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Vista RAM Sigma Ram MicroNet RAM BAS RAM GSM Modem Cause The result codes from the modem are not returned in the format expected by Remote Alarm Manager Resolution The Mobile Equipment Errors setting (AT+CMEE) sets the format that error responses from the modem are returned in, the possible formats are: 0 disable result code and use ERROR instead 1 enable result code and use numeric values 2 enable result code and use verbose values The GSM driver in Remote Alarm Manager expects to see these results in numeric format. To Check and set the format do the following: Using a Terminal Emulation Program such as Hyperterminal connect to the modem Enter the command AT+CMEE? to show the current setting Enter AT+CMEE=1 Enter AT&W to store the current settings to non volatile memory. Disconnect Hyperterminal and test with Remote Alarm Manager.

Issue How can multiple licenses work simultaneously in Vista 5? Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5 Licensing LMTools Cause Licenses may have been purchased separately and either contain different features, or additional seats. The license server can read multiple licenses and serve them up appropriately. Resolution Option 1 - Use multiple .lic files Since the filenames are the same for all .lic files sent via schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com, you must first rename the files Put them in the License Files folder Make sure the license server is pointing to that folder (not an individual file) Reboot or Stop/Start/Reread license server using the LMTools utility. Option 2 - Merge into one .lic file Complete instructions in Manually Consolidating License Files Open each license file using a text editor. Cut and paste the "Features" into one of the files (Do not copy the file "header") Place this file in the License Files folder Reboot or Stop/Start/Reread license server using the LMTools utility.

Issue If a customer's Vista PC crashes, how is the software recovered, and is it necessary purchase all software again? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Cause If a PC with Vista software installed crashes, all software needs to be reinstalled, and if necessary a rehost of licenses is required. The rehost procedure is covered in Rehosting a Vista 5 License on the FlexNet License Server. Resolution The TAC Vista 5.x software itself is free and available for download from The Exchange Download Center. If the software licenses are purchased once, they are still available and no repurchase is necessary. If licenses were locked to a hardware dongle, just reinstall the license file(s) again when installation is completed. If licenses were locked to a Host ID and Host ID is changed due to configuration changes on PC, you need to login to https://schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com and rehost the licenses to the new Host ID.

Issue Is it possible to limit the number of Vista workstation instances that can be opened on a PC? Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.1.X Cause On a site with a number of workstation and workstation remote it is possible that all licenses will be checked out by one user on one PC, if multiple instances are running, leaving no licenses available for other users in the network. Resolution It is possible to use a license options file to reserve licenses for specific users. In this way it is possible to guarantee that a license will be available for each user. There is also an option to set the maximum number of licenses a user can use. Click on the following link to open Controlling distribution of license modules in Vista 5which contains a link to the FlexNet Licensing User Guide.

Issue Steps to setup a NIC-IP for Vista Product Line TAC Vista Environment NIC-IP Cause Setting UP a NIC-IP Resolution 1. Download and install the latest NIC software. Here is a link to this site 2. Start the LConfig application. This is located in the LOYTEC Network Interfaces menu. 3. Select the NIC-IP/RNI tab. 4. Select the Assignment & Configure button. 5. The next popup screen will search for the NIC-IP. If your NIC-IP is powered up and plugged in to the network it should appear in this list. 6. Select the NIC-IP and then select the Configure button. 7. Setup the IP address, IP Netmask, IP Gateway and DNS servers if required. Select the OK and the device will write the new configuration to the NIC-IP 8. Take note of the Assignment and change if required. Press OK and the Assignment & Configure screen will close. 9 In the LConfig application select the Device from drop down list that matches the notes assignment from step 8. 10. Press the Test Device/Serial Number button to check for the correct setup of the NIC-IP. The return screen should look like this. 11.Close the LConfig application by selecting the OK button. 12. Start the Vista server and log into Vista workstation 13. Under the Vista server object add a new Device-communications Port - Loytec 14. Select the properties of the new Communication port and select the Network interface from the dropdown list. this should be the same interface noted in step 8. 15. You can the add Lonworks networks under the NIC-IP device. If your NIC-IP does not appear in the dropdown list, Configuring Loytec NIC in Vista discusses this related issue.

Issue How to check the amount of used memory in a TAC Menta/TAC Xenta application. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Menta Xenta 281 Xenta 301 Xenta 401 Cause When programming applications for TAC Xenta, you may want to be able to check the size of your application, to verify that it can be downloaded to the device. Resolution To be able to check how much memory an application is using, the application needs to generated. In TAC Menta, edit mode: Select Option, Simulate to enter Simulate mode. In Simulate Mode, select Commands, Generate, to generate the application. To be able to check the Memory usage, you have to return to Edit mode, Select Options, Edit. Now you can check the Memory usage by selecting Options, Memory Usage... As this calculation is done on your PC, and not in the device, and that the memory in the TAC Xenta device is dynamic allocated, it is a recommendation to have at least 10% free memory in each category to avoid future problems. For more information about the Advanced button, please see TAC Menta Advanced Memory Usage: BPR Size Calculator.

Issue It is not possible to make any configurations or calibrations within a Xenta controller that will reflect on the STR-150. Product Line TAC Vista Environment STR-150 Vista Xenta 121 Xenta 104-A Cause Communication between any Xenta controller and STR-150 is only one-way. The STR-150 can communicate to the controller but the controller cannot communicate back to the STR-150. Resolution Any parameters that can be changed on the STR-150 must be changed at the stat itself. Complete information on the various available parameters can be found in STR-150 Manual Configuration. It is not possible to perform a calibration on the STR-150 stat in a way that will affect the readout of the STR-150 in a version prior to 1.4. The Xenta 104-A can have the space temperature calibrated within the application by changing nciTempOffset. However, when a version prior to 1.4 of the STR-150 is used with the Xenta 121 the space temperature cannot be calibrated. For more information see STR-150 Calibration Feature.

Issue From time to time TAC Vista Server stops communicating with LonWorks devices and needs to be restarted. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Server LonWorks Cause There can be various reasons for this. One of the reasons can be, that one or more devices is flooding TAC Vista Server with communication, and the communication finally stops. Among other things, this can be due to one or more TAC Xenta's suffering from the rare memory fault issue described in TAC Xenta 401 - Rare Memory Fault Issue - TPA-MALI-09-0011.01, or that the system program in the TAC Xenta device has become corrupt. To identify the issue, make a communications log as described in Start TAC Vista Communications Log, and open the log with the "TAC Vista Comm. Log Decoder". Filter on "C1" messages, and check if there's extensive communication from one or more devices. If that's the case, you have identified that file transfer loop is the issue. Resolution The first thing to try, is to update the system program in the Xenta. Follow article Download an .MOT file into a Xenta Programmable controller for instructions on how to do that. If that doesn't work, replace the Xenta device(s) causing the massive file transfer.

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