Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When WebReports is installed, two users called "appuser" are created. One is a local Windows user, and one is a SQL user. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WebReports User accounts Cause These users are or have been needed by WebReports Resolution EBO version 2.0 and above: the Windows user account "appuser" is no longer required to operate WebReports.  It is only a requirement during installation. SBO/EBO version 1.8 and above:  In SQL, the "appuser" user account has been removed as it's not essential for the Web Reports to operate correctly. In these versions, if an upgrade from an earlier version is performed and this user account is still present, it can be safely deleted /disabled.     In all other versions: The local Windows user account ([PC_NAME]\appuser) is used for importing report packs (RDL files) and synchronizing between WebReports and Microsoft Reporting Services.   For more information about this account, refer to SmartStruxure WebReports Installation Errors (1001 while importing report pack). To change the password for this Windows user, refer to Changing Report Server "appuser" password.    

Issue Moving from Webreports going to Postgres/TimescaleDB instead, leaves us without a reporting engine. SSRS can supposedly utilise a PostgreSQL database, but SSRS is a licensed part of MSSQL. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Timescale Database Cause From EcoStruxure Building Operation version 4.0 (2022) the Building Operation Report Server is no longer supported. Instead, we support PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB, using Dashboards and Excel from within EBO, to make reports, using Notification reports to start Excel and reports. Resolution EBO 3.2 introduced Enhanced Reporting, based on the current feature Notifications in combination with Notification Report Template, which also supports report data such as Alarms, Groups, Multi Log list, Relative events and Users. The Notification result can also be presented in XLSX format and converted to PDF with signing capabilities. If External Log Storage is configured and connected (PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB), then historical report data can be fetched from there.   EBO 2023 introduced External Log Storage support for Microsoft SQL Server in addition to PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB   Information  and examples of Enhanced Reporting and Dashboards can be found in EBO Webhelp, My LearningLink and the Automation Experts Community.   NOTIFICATION REPORTS : EBO Webhelp: Notification Reports  Community: Reporting in EcoStruxure Building Operation 3.2 Community: Reports showcase - share your reports! Community: Get more data out of the system with Notifications! EcoXpert Extranet Video: Community Video : Fusion Fridays - Session 20 Community: Change Control and Enhanced Reporting Lab Guides Community: Example Report Templates  Community: Forced Values Report Example My LearningLink: EcoStruxure Building: Enhanced Reporting and Dashboards 3.2 My Learning Link: EBO 2022: Enhanced Reporting and Dashboards   DASHBOARDS : EBO Webhelp: How Dashboards Work EcoXpert Extranet Video: Dashboards EcoStruxure Building Operation 3.0 - Informational Video Community: What Custom Types have to do with Dashboards Community: Public vs Personal Dashboards Community: Graphics in Dashboards [Advanced] Community: Dashboards: Share your screenshots! EcoXpert Extranet: PA-00701 EcoStruxure™ Building Operation 3.0 Captures the Spotlight

Issue When binding Output points in the script editor to the desired outputs, the bindings are not working. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation All Versions Automation Server Central I/O Modules Cause When bindings to the output points the incorrect attribute is being used. Resolution Open binding editor for the desired program. In the right hand pane, choose the desired output to be bound. Expand the point and select Requested Value. Drag the Requested Value to the desired output in the program. Save settings.

Issue Sometimes the availability count for license features are displayed as double the actual available count for Entitlements. The problem has no functional effect on the system other than that the visual indication of the feature count is wrong. Issue seen in Entitlement View - Features inside a License Product are doubled. Issue seen in Server View. -The issue can be seen temporarily during activation on the server line. -The number of features inside the License Products available for activation under the server are doubled permanently. Server line view after activation. - After the license product has been activated the features on the server are shown correctly. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Secure Boot Building Operation Automation Server Bundled (AS-B) Scalable Cause AS-P Classic and AS-B Classic licenses are NOT affected. None of the Windows licenses are affected.   EBO releases affected: All EBO versions up to and including 4.0.3. The EBO systems that are already running licenses are Not affected. Customers that for any reason reinstall an Entitlement in DA will be affected by the issue. EBO 5.0.1 Resolution This issue is planed to be resolved in the following EBO versions: EBO 4.0.4 EBO 5.0.2

Issue Is it possible to use a TAC Xenta 1.8 kOhm thermistor on an RTD-16 Central I/O module? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation I/O Module 16 Ch RTD Cause Wants to use existing modules instead of adding new modules. Resolution The RTD-16 module is designed to interface with linear resistive inputs such as PT100, PT1000. Thermistors generally have logarithmic scales, therefore it will be hard to program a correct curve function to get an acceptable sensor accuracy. Using a universal input that is made for thermistor readings will give a more accurate reading without additional programming.

Issue Is it possible to use both Modbus/IP and BACnet/IP on the same AS-P Ethernet Port 2? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause There is a need to have both Modbus TCP as well as BACnet/IP devices on the same AS-P secondary Ethernet port. Resolution This is not a common configuration so it has not been tested extensively. With regards to the architectural guidelines, consider the Modbus/IP as BACnet/IP devices. For example, where the maximum number of SpaceLogic BACnet/IP devices per private IP field-bus is 200, adjust this limit to 190 if you have 10 Modbus/IP devices on the secondary Ethernet port.

Issue When connecting MP-C controllers in a daisy chain, do they act as a repeater and boost the signal thus allowing total network distances of greater than 90 meters. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller. Cause Each MP-C acts as a switch and decodes and generates a new fresh packet. Resolution Maximum 100 meters between each device when using daisy chain when connecting MP-C.

Issue After configuring SSL certificates manually, having an incompatible Host Certificate and Key file can cause the import to EBO to fail. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Cause Host Certificate provides the public key for which the private key is paired. An unmatched Host Certificate and private key will cause the certificate import to fail. Resolution While managing certificates manually, it is recommended to check that the Host Certificate and Key files are a matching pair.   Using the provided Host Certificate (.pem) file and private key (.key or .prv) file Download OpenSSL v1.1.1 Light choosing the EXE file type and correct version (Win64 or Win32), as the latest version letter will be posted to Win32/Win64 OpenSSL Installer for Windows - Shining Light Productions (slproweb.com) or OpenSSL installed with EBO If using Shining Light installer, it is recommended to open command prompt from where certificates are stored on the desktop and substitute openssl with "C:\Program Files\OpenSSL-Win64\bin\openssl.exe". Working with certificate files on the Windows desktop ensures the user will have the correct permission to run the commands, unlike putting certificate files in the Program Files directory where openssl.exe resides. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt Obtain the host certificate md5 hash with this command: openssl x509 -noout -modulus -in filename.pem | openssl md5 Obtain the private key md5 hash using the command below. Use the correct command based on the key file file type openssl rsa -noout -modulus -in filename.prv | openssl md5 openssl rsa -noout -modulus -in filename.key | openssl md5   In this example, the Host Certificate is HostCert.pem and the private key is EcoStruxure.key. The private key was converted to EcoStructure.prv using Step 12 of Installing an SSL Certificate from an External CA - Communities (se.com) These commands make the hash more readable to human eye. We use openssl to inspect the x509 for Certificate and encryption type rsa for the key to produce the modulus (-modulus), which is a long string. You then use (-noout) to prevent the full modulus from printing to the screen. You then create a shorter md5 hash so the human eye can easily compare them. If the md5 hashes match, that indicates that the modulus is a match and proves that the certificate/key is a pair.

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue Cybersecurity vulnerability scans are flagging the Building Operation License Server because it is using HTTP rather than HTTPS Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation License Server Cause The Building Operation License Server contains a web portal for diagnostics and administration. By default, the Building Operation License Server Administration web portal is configured to use HTTP Resolution It is possible from the Administration area of the Building Operation License Server Administration web portal to configure HTTPS communications. Note: this does not change how Ecostruxure Building Operation connects to the license server.   The following process configures the Building Operation License Server Administration web portal to use HTTPS   From a web browser open the Building Operation License Server Administration web portal by typing http://localhost:8888 Once the web portal opens, select Administration at the top right. You will be prompted to log on, use "admin" as the user name. If you have logged in before, use the password you have defined. If not, enter "admin" as the password, and you will then be prompted to create a password. Once signed in Select the Server Configuration tab. Under the Secure Web Server Configuration section, select Enable HTTPS Change HTTPS Port to a unique number e.g. 8443 Select Redirect Non-Secure Web Access to Secure Web Access At the bottom of the page click the Save button and close the web browser tab. Restart the Building Operation X.X License Server from the Windows Services app (services.msc) If the license server is opened using http://localhost:8888 it will now redirect to HTTPS using the port specified in step 4 above

Issue How can I find out whether the EBO 2022 multi-version support applies to AS Classic module?  Does it apply to all the AS, AS-P, and AS-B modules? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Cause The EBO 2022 Release Note describes that the EBO 2022 Device Administrator software is not supported on the original AS classic (part number SXWAUTSVR10001) but there is no description of the software backward compatibility of the EBO on AS classic. Resolution An AS classic can continue to exist in a multi-version system; the maximum version an AS classic can operate at is 3.1.2. It is nowhere implied that it is not supported under a multi-version setup. The statement “EBO 2022 does not support AS classic” in the EBO 2022 Release Note is misunderstood. It simply means that one cannot install EBO 2022 on an AS Classic, the same as the previous EBO 3.2 version. Note that the AS Classic will not inherit any features introduced in later EBO releases when operating in a multi-version system.

Issue When performing a backup of all Servers and All Data on an Enterprise Server the backup fails and generates an error in Software Administrator indicating the backup is corrupt although the backup is not corrupt. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation EcoStruxure Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause There is not enough free disk space on the Enterprise Server to save the backup file created.  The error generated in Software Administrator is a generic error. Resolution Check the Trace Log for Internal Server Error: Insufficient_Space_For_Backup If this is evident free up additional space on the Enterprise Server and re-try saving the backup.

Issue A system with multiple WebRequest calls appears to become erratic after upgrading the AS-P to EBO 2022 and above. After a reboot, multiple scripts execution are hanging.   In previous EBO versions, the script would be stopped and return an Unknown Exception error message.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause The Architectural Guidelines always recommended a maximum of 5 concurrent WebRequest calls. In EBO 2022, this limitation is enforced to limit the impact on the system resources and prevent scripts stopping due to Unknown Exception errors.   Architectural Guidelines    Web requests exceeding this number will be queued, and the scripts doing these calls will hang on that function as the queue is emptied. This will directly impact the execution of other scripts.   Resolution 1. Enforce a good scripting practice to prevent more than 5 concurrent Web Request calls. 2. Cascade the execution of scripts to make sure that after a reboot, the scripts are executed in a sequence to prevent simultaneous calls filling the queue and causing scripts to be stopped.  

Issue At times it is necessary to programmatically disable a program from another program Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation EcoStruxure Building Operation Server (ES/ASP/ASB) Cause A program will not just stop another program without some additional steps. In Continuum there was an ability to just name another program stop it. Resolution A program can stop itself,  however, here is a way for one program to stop another program. The user can declare an input variable in a program, check it and stop the program, based on the value of that variable. That input variable would be set from outside the program. Example: Prog1 stops Prog2 ======================== ‘Prog1 Numeric Output OutStopProg    ‘bound to the input variable InStopProg of prog2 ‘Stop program Prog2 OutStopProg = true        ‘this statement sets the input variable InStopProg  of Prog2 to true ======================== ‘Prog2 Numeric Input InStopProg     ‘bound to the OutStopProg variable of Prog1 If InStopProg = true then Stop   ‘this statement stops prog2 if InStopProg  is true  

Issue Building Operation WorkStation freezes and crashes. The stack trace shows: System.ComponentModel.Win32Exception: Not enough quota is available to process this command Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Cause This is an error from Windows system: Not enough quota is available to process this command There are two potential causes for this error: Windows does not have enough virtual memory for all of the processes that are currently running on the machine or Windows is running out of other resources such as: disk space, handles, GDI resources, process message queue or something else. This error turns up on a lot of programs in Windows intermittently, such as Windows File Explorer. WorkStation freezes (usually because its waiting on the server) and the user tries to do a 'soft' shutdown (not a kill process) of WorkStation in the Task Manager. The Windows OS then sends instructions via the message queue (to simulate a user press on the "red cross" button on upper right in caption bar) which in turn leads to this quota error. Resolution If this error is seen, Microsoft recommends closing some applications and trying again. If you still get this message, increase the size of your paging file.   In the Taskbar Search, type “Advanced System“. You will see View Advanced System Settings. Click on it. Or you can navigate to it via Control Panel In System Properties, click the Advanced tab In the Performance section click the Settings button Performance Options will open. Click the Advanced tab Here, under Virtual memory, select Change Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives Highlight your Windows system drive Select Custom size Change the Initial size value and the Maximum size value to a higher value Click Set Finally, Click Apply/OK all the way  

Issue Cannot find documentation on how to use the new Graphic components release with EBO 2.0 Getting the following errors when previewing my graphic page: "Script error in function "onLoad" .... ReferenceError: "_firstRun" is not defined "Script error in function "onChange" ... ReferenceError: "_setVisuals" is not defined The component added to the graphic shows no binding label in the WorkStations edit bindings window Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Graphic Editor 2.0 and above GlobalScripts V2.0.0262 and above Cause With the release of EBO 2.0, a set of new components/snippets have been released, which are different from those issued in earlier releases, although there is very little change visually. The scripting, in most cases but not all, has been removed from the components themselves and put into single scripts. This means we can take advantage of the functionality of the global script. This requires the user to set the UseGlobalScripts attribute to True within the TGML graphic editor, which can be on a per-graphic basis and ensures that existing graphics will still function. Once turned to True, all components with scripts and requirements for other global scripts to function correctly can function as designed. For example, the setpoint box requires global scripts to ensure units and decimal places are displayed as designed/required due to the scripts. There are also two binds available on the box, one for reading and one for writing. Both need to be bound to enable the component to function correctly.  The components are designed this way to allow use in BACnet, where it may require reading the resultant Value but Writing at a specific Priority. Without the scripts added to the graphic, the component cannot function. For further details/questions, refer to the following Community Posts, which also include the current PDF documentation: Help-with-an-EBO-2-0-component EcoStruxure-Building-Operation/Graphic-Component-Library-Rev-AB1-002-pdf NAM Standards Team TGML Component Library - Communities (se.com) This article provides the necessary steps required to enable and get these new components working and does not provide in-depth functionality. Resolution Within Graphics Editor, enable UseGlobalScripts. To do this: Select the -Tgml object shown in the Objects pane In the Properties pane Change the UseGlobalScripts from False to True In the Global Graphic Snippets: Drag the GlobalScripts V2.0.xxxx onto the -Tgml object.  GlobalScripts then appends as shown below. Note: This must be done before adding any components and ONLY once on each Graphic page. Add a Component by dragging it into the Design window. Example showing the Component: Analogue Single Line Text, 100W Add Snippets to allow the relevant Bindings to be added to this component.  To do this: Select the Snippets tab, Select Select Global Bind Snippets Drag the appropriate snippet onto the Component. EcoStruxure Analog Value bind snippet is added to the Analogue Value component Save the graphic Preview - no errors should appear.  If there are errors: Ensure that the scripts/components have been added in the correct order Ensure the correct Snippet has been added to the correct Component.  Refer to the Graphic-Component-Library-Rev-AB1-002-pdf documentation for the tested snippets/component combinations. Open WorkStation and Edit Bindings on the saved graphic page Note: The default binding name displayed View the graphic page   Example: Showing forced value      

Issue Do the Xenta IO modules, when used under a programable Xenta device, need to have a Field Device license added? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Licensing Cause No clear information is provided on if the Xenta IO model needs a Field Device license. Resolution No Field License is needed for IO modules if they are set up under a Xenta programable device like a Xenta 400 or 300 series device. Only the devices that communicate to a Building Operation server require a license (Enterprise or Automation Servers). The Xenta IO modules only communicate with the Xenta programable device using LACNET communication and not the Building Operation servers.

Issue After a find new BACnet devices in Continuum or EBO, 3rd party devices may come in and that we do not know the IP address of. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Cyberstation BACnet Operator Workstation EcoStruxure Building Operation Cause BACnet devices IP addresses in Continuum explorer and EBO are encoded in HEX per BACnet Standard. BACnet IP addresses in BACnet are described as BACcnet MAC address. Resolution 3rd party IP level device is already in the BACnet side of Continuum, the IP address in HEX located as BACnet MAC address. Right-click and edit the third party device and use the BACnet MAC address to decipher. That is the IP address plus the port used to communicate For instance: The BACnet MAC address on the device editor is 0A9F1ACFBAC0 That would be 0A = 10, 9F=159, 1A=26, CF=207  The IP address would be 10.159.26.207 and BAC0 is 47808 on the port.   If you have exported to Excel and need a solution to covert, please reference IP address from BACnet MAC Address (SBO & Continuum)

Issue How to connect a SpaceLogic IP Controller via MSTP Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation Automation Server (ASP/ASB) Space Logic IP Controller RS-485 Adapter Cause Only certain SpaceLogic IP Controller models and versions support the new BACnet MSTP Adaptor and details are required on how to configure these controllers for BACnet MSTP. Resolution The following video will illustrate how to: Configure ASP/ASB for BACnet MSTP Communication. Configure a SpaceLogic IP Controller as a BACnet MSTP device. Discover the SpaceLogic IP Controller on the BACnet MSTP network. Things you need: Software EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation 2022 Building Commission Application (available from Google Play, Apple Store, or Microsoft Store) Hardware ASP/ASB version 4.0 or higher RP controller (hardware version 10 or later) RS-485 Adaptor (Isolating or Non-Isolating) RJ45 UTP Straight Through Cable (12"/300mm or less) Before attempting to install a SpaceLogic controller on MSTP consult the following: Isolated RS-485 Adapter and Non-isolated RS-485 Adapter for SpaceLogic IP controller types supporting the RS-485 MSTP adapter RP-C BACnet MS/TP Support for RP models supporting BACnet MS/TP Installing an RS-485 Adapter for information on installing the BACnet MSTP adapter Connecting an Isolated RS-485 Adapter and Connecting a Non-isolated RS-485 Adapter for port usage and CAT 5 UTP connection cable Allocating Flexible Ports for additional considerations on port usage Enabling the BACnet/IP Controller to Communicate on an MS/TP Network Please see the video below:

Issue How to exchange EBO data via a SmartConnector enabled REST endpoint. Product Line EcoStruxure building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Enterprise Central Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled SmartConnector Cause Need to serve EBO data in a RESTful manner. Resolution The following video will illustrate how to: Create user account group and user with permissions required for web service client access. Enable the EcoStruxure Web Service server in the EBO server. Create and configure REST endpoint in SmartConnector framework. Use Swagger interface to review the API documentation. Test the Web service using a 3rd party testing tool. Things you need: Software EBO server with valid license (Enterprise Central, Enterprise Server or Automation server) EBO WorkStation. SmartConnector with valid license Tools SoapUI (to be used for testing)   For more information check "SmartConnector RESTful EWS Gateway" document at SmartConnector Server download center, and Troubleshooting Smart Connector SoapEwsRestProvider connection with EBO - Communities (se.com)

Issue A 3rd party system wants to poll data from EcoStruxure BMS server through Modbus, how to set it up? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause If an EcoStruxure BMS server needs to share data with a 3rd party system through Modbus, the EcoStruxure BMS server can act in one of two roles: Modbus TCP server or Modbus RTU Server (Slave) EBO server acting as RTU slave EBO server acting as Modbus TCP server   Resolution  Create a Modbus interface under the EcoStruxure BMS server and define the Modbus device ID for the EcoStruxure BMS server. Create Modbus points under this Modbus interface and set the register numbers and register type for the points. Create a Modbus Slave network for serial connection, select the COM port and set relative communication parameter. Or create a Modbus TCP Server for TCP connection and can change the default Modbus TCP port if needed (Usually just leave it as default). Use standard Modbus test software like Modscan to scan the points through TCP or serial. Use Function Code 1 or 2 to read Digital Modbus points and Code 3 or 4 for Analog Modbus points. Be sure to match the data length setting in Modscan with the real points number in the EBO server. For instance, if there are only 3 values in EBO Modbus interface, the data length setting must be less than 3 in Modscan. Or it will show error in Modscan. The below video will demonstrate how to configure EcoStruxure BMS server to act as Modbus TCP server or Modbus RTU slave