Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue TGML pages are slow to load in Workstation TGML objects are not responsive Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML Cause The driver of the graphic card is outdated or not supported. Resolution Visit the webpage of the PC's brand and update the driver for the graphic card.

Issue The following error message appears when trying to change the system security settings of an Enterprise Server in Webstation:   An error has occurred Object protected ~/System/Security Manager/Global Security Settings     In Workstation the same settings are disabled (greyed out) and cannot be edited at all:   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Webstation Building Operation Workstation Cause The probable cause of this issue is that the Enterprise server is part of an EC - ES multiserver system setup. Then some settings are in a Lead - Shadow relationship and can only be controlled from the top EC (Enterprise Central) server. Resolution Edit these settings on the top Enterprise Central server.

Issue Graphics are not displayed via the WebStation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WebStation Graphics Trends Display issues Long hyphen # character Cause When a graphic is requested on a Building Operation Webstation, it is not displayed. The display will remain blank. Resolution Try the following steps below to correct the WebStation loading issue. Check the file size of the graphic page. If the TGML graphic size is too large it can have issues loading in WebStation. Majority of the times it is due to an image that is too large such as a floor plan.  If a graphic, or trend chart object, is created through a EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation and its name contains a "long hyphen", the graphic and trend chart objects cannot be viewed through WebStation. The long hyphen is not a supported character. When creating object names do not use the long hyphen (—) only use the short hyphen if required (-) If the version being used is 1.3, upgrading to 1.4.1x may resolve the issue. Check the name of the AS, an unsupported character may have been used e.g.#, to resolve, remove the character.

Issue Graphics appear fine when viewed from WorkStation, but when a web browser (WebStation) is used to view the AS, dark lines appear across portions of the graphic. Some objects with transparent backgrounds (fill set to "None") may appear with a grey background when viewed through a web browser. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment AS TGML Graphics WebStation Cause WebStation is less forgiving of some improper configuration settings than WorkStation. Objects attributes must follow proper syntax for Fill, Stroke, or Visibility. Resolution Open the graphic page in the TGML viewer Change lines, borders, and fills to some other value (black, for example) Change the attribute back to the desired setting (Visibility = Hidden or Fill = None) Save the graphic The improperly formatted attributes should be overwritten with the correct syntax and the graphic appears as desired in both environments.

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 When EBO servers (ES & AS) no more need to keep the unnecessary TrendLog objects, the obsolete objects need to be deleted from EBO servers, and their log data need to be removed from the Extended Log Storage (PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB) server as well.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server External Log Storage PostgreSQL (pgAdmin 4) TimescaleDB  Cause Deleting the obsolete TrendLog objects from EBO servers does not remove the old log data of the obsolete TrendLogs left in the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database. Resolution Once the obsolete TrendLog objects are deleted from EBO servers, their log data are no longer saved in the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB. The next task is removing the old log data left in the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database.   1. As always, backup current EB & AS’s databases from EBO workstation.   2. As always, backup the current PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database and save to a safe location. Backup the “ebo_db” from the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server using the pgAdmin 4 (refer to https://www.pgadmin.org/docs/pgadmin4/development/backup_dialog.html , or refer to page 8 “Backup” section of the “EBO External Log Storage Installer.pdf” document for detail).  3.Remove the obsolete TrendLog from the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database (the “ebo_db”). Method_1: Delete the EBO TrendLog object from ES & AS’s & TimescaleDB using EBO workstation. (1) From the EBO workstation, expand the folder (location) of the TrendLog object, and delete the TrendLog object. (2) From the EBO workstation, go to the TimescaleDB folder (/Server 1/System/External Log Storage/TimescaleDB/Trend /Logs/Tree View), and delete the Trendlog object from PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database. (3) Verify the TrendLog disappears from both the EBO and the PostgreSQL/Timescale DB.   Method_2: If the above Method1 takes a long time to complete, you can delete the TrendLog objects from PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database directly.  (1) From the EBO workstation, expand the folder (location) of the TrendLog object, and delete the TrendLog object. (Same as item (1) of the above Method_1) (2) From the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server, run the pgAdmin 4, select the “ebo_db”, open the “Query Tool”, and execute the below scripts: Find the ID of the obsolete TrendLog from the trend_meta table. Select Externallogid, source from trend_meta where sources like '%TrendLog Name or Path%' Remove the TrendLog from the 2 tables using the above found Externallogid as below. Delete from trend_data where externallogid = 1234567890 Delete from trend_meta where externallogid = 1234567890 (3) Verify the TrendLog disappears from both the EBO and the PostgreSQL/Timescale DB.  

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 After deleting unnecessary TrendLog objects from EBO and their logged data from the Extended Log Storage (PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB) by selecting the “Clear log” from the System folder (i.e.: Server1/System/Extended Log Storage/TimescaleDB/Trend/Tree View/…”), the Windows still shows the same free disk space size as it was before the deletion. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server External Log Storage PostgreSQL (pgAdmin 4) TimescaleDB  Cause PostgreSQL databases require periodic maintenance known as vacuuming for Windows to recover or reuse the freed-up disk space occupied by PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB. Resolution There are two variants of VACUUM: standard VACUUM and VACUUM FULL.  VACUUM FULL can reclaim more disk space but runs much more slowly.  VACUUM FULL requires an exclusive lock on the table it is working on, and therefore cannot be done in parallel with other use of the table. Refer to the documentation mentioned at  https://www.postgresql.org/docs/9.5/routine-vacuuming.html  before performing the VACUUM command.   Below is an example of the procedure to get the freed-up disk space occupied by PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB back to Windows.   1. Back up the current PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database and save to a safe location. Backup the “ebo_db” from the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server using the pgAdmin 4 (refer to https://www.pgadmin.org/docs/pgadmin4/development/backup_dialog.html , or refer to page 8 “Backup” section of the “EBO External Log Storage Installer.pdf” document for detail).   2. Stop the External Log Storage from EBO. Open the Properties of the TimescaleDB object (/Server/System/External Log Storage/).\ Remember (take a note) the current value settings of the “Host Address” & the “Database Name” attributes. Change them to the wrong value (or clear them) so that EBO fails to connect to the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server. Repeat the above operation for all the other servers (AS’s) that are enabled/connected to the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server.   3.Delete the old logs from the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB database (the “ebo_db”). Run the pgAdmin 4, select the “ebo_db”, open the “Query Tool”, and execute the below scripts:   Delete from trend_data where DATE_PART('day', now() - timestamp) > 365   Delete from event_data where DATE_PART('day', now() - timestamp) > 365   4. Vacuum the Database with Full option. From the same Query Tool on the “ebo_db”, run the below command: Vacuum Full Wait until it completes (this may take a while depending on the number of old logs that have been deleted from the tables).   5. Start the External Log Storage from EBO. Open the Properties of the TimescaleDB object (/Server/System/External Log Storage/). Set the value of the “Host Address” & the “Database Name” back to the correct value, so that the EBO server successfully connects to the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server. Verify the EBO server is connected to the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server, and it works normally.    Repeat the above operations for all the other EBO servers (AS’s) that were disabled/disconnected from the PostgreSQL/TimescaleDB server.  

Issue What resources are available to get more information on the Modbus protocol? Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Building Operation,Field Devices,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC IA Series,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment Modbus ASCII/RTU Modbus TCP/IP Cause The Modbus protocol information is available on www.modbus.org Use the menu on the left and select Technical Resources. Select the Modbus Specifications. Resolution Found on www.modbus.org are the protocol specifications: Modbus ASCII/RTU Modbus TCP

Issue First Day of Week is incorrect Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Building Operation  WebStation Cause Calender/Schedule has the week starting on Sunday/Monday and the first day of the week in my region is Monday/Sunday. Resolution WorkStation Exit the Building Operation WorkStation. In the Operating System for Windows, select Start - Control Panel - Clock Language and Region. In Region and Language on the Formats tab, find First day of week and adjust to your regions choice: Open up Building Operation WorkStation and see your calendar changes the first day of the week to match your choice: WebStation Navigate to web_root/localization folder under the ES and find the Local-en.US.js.gz file to edit Using WordPad++ below I find the "First_Day_Of_Week" as shown below and change from "1" to a "2" then save, and using my zip software, I save to format gzip. Notice in the above screenshot the renamed OLDlocal-en-US.js.gz and the new one is in place. Now you can see in WebStation the first day of the week is Monday rather than Sunday

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation Automation Server, Enterprise Server and BACnet object names limitation Dragging converted I/NET TGML graphics into Workstation causes Workstation to crash with following message: Exception message: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.TgmlFileDropHandler.Drop(FileInfo, Path, IOperationContext, IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.FileDropCoordinator.ExecuteDrop(Path, IList`1, IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.<>c__DisplayClassd.b__9(IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.Services.<>c__DisplayClass1.b__0(IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.ProgressIndication.ProgressActionOperation`2.Run(IProgressOperationInternal, IProgressResult, IProgressOperationInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.Services.ProgressItem`1.b__1a(Task) at System.Threading.Tasks.<>c__DisplayClasse`1.b__d() at System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1.InvokeFuture(Object) at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.InnerInvoke() at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.Execute()  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The number of characters and the use of special characters in a EcoStruxure Building Operation object name and EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet objects names Resolution Refer to the Webhelp Object Names topic for information on naming restrictions The statements in Webhelp also apply to EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet objects unless is it a Continuum b3 object.  If you are creating a Continuum b3 object etc., the b3 object display name is limited to 16 characters consisting solely of letters, digits, and underscores (as per Continuum limitation). Basically, any objects you create for Continuum, for example, a 'BACnet Analog Input (Continuum)' will be subjected to the Continuum limitation. If you add a standard 'BACnet Analog Input' into an Automation Server or an Enterprise Server, then it is not limited by the Continuum limitation of 16 characters. The most common issue when bringing I/NET TGML converted graphics into Workstation is not checking for spaces at either the beginning or end of the converted file name.  Make sure there are no spaces (white space) before or after any characters of the file name before copying into Workstation.

Issue Displaying Automation Server status on a graphic page Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Webstation Automation Server Cause The online / offline status of an Automation Server can be viewed in the Workstation System Tree (Servers folder). However, there is currently no 'built in' method of displaying the Automation Server status on a graphic page.  Resolution There are two possible ways to workaround this   Within TGML Bind any Automation Server attribute that is shown only when the Automation Server is online (such as DateTime) and convert the status either by TGML script or a ConvertStatus element. See the attached example.   Using a script program We can create a point in the Automation Server and use another server to monitor this point. Below is an example of using the Enterprise Server to monitor an Automation Server.  Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, I have created an Analog Value point and set it to a value of 88.8. This value does not really matter but I have set to this value for easier recognition. Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, I have created an Analog Value point and set it to a value of 88.8. This value does not really matter but I have set to this value for easier recognition 1. Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, an Analog Value point (named 'Status')is created and set to a value of 88.8. The value set does not matter. It has been set to 88.8 for easy recognition.    2. In the Enterprise Server, create a new Program point (named 'Monitor AS' in this example) with the following codes.  Numeric Input In1 String Output Out1 Numeric Output Out2 Out2 = In1 If In1.Offline = true then Out1 = "Offline" else Out1 = "Online"   3. Edit the binding of the Script program and bind 'In1' to the Value Point that was created in the Automation Server.    4. When the Automation Server loses connectivity to the Enterprise Server, the Out1 output of the Script program will show 'Offline'. You can then bind this to a graphic page.

Issue How to define the number decimal places displayed for a point? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The default resolution for displaying points is 2, there is no setting to change this in individual points on the Workstation. Resolution The number of displayed decimal places is read from the Workstation PC Windows Region Options, change or customize the Windows Options to set the "No of digits after decimal" value as required. This setting applies to all displayed values except for graphics where the number of digits displayed can be defined in the graphic editor. Control panel\Region\ Select Additional Settings opens Customize Format. Adjust "No. of digits after decimal to your requirements".   The Workstation will need to be restarted for this setting to be changed. The screenshot below shows a setting of 2 decimal places, Windows allows the value to be changed from 0 through 9:

Issue Receive “Timeout while waiting for server to get ready” error when starting PCT Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Project Configuration Tool Environment Project Configuration Tool, PCT Cause PCT can't reach DHCP-server from the virtual machine. Resolution To configure a port group or virtual switch to allow promiscuous mode: 1.Log into the ESXi/ESX host or vCenter Server using the vSphere Client. 2.Select the ESXi/ESX host in the inventory. 3.Click the Configuration tab. 4.In the Hardware section, click Networking. 5.Click Properties of the virtual switch for which you want to enable promiscuous mode. 6.Select the virtual switch or port group you wish to modify and click Edit. 7.Click the Security tab. 8.From the Promiscuous Mode drop  down menu, click Accept. Note: The setting on the port group overrides the virtual switch setting. For more information, see How promiscuous mode works at the virtual switch and portgroup levels (1002934).  

Issue A newly installed program does not run and could be using a port on the host computer that's already assigned to another running program or service.  How can current port usage on the host computer be determined quickly? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell BAS & Sigma, TAC INET, TAC I/A Series, TAC Vista, Andover Continuum, CCTV, Field Devices Environment Microsoft Windows Cause A port conflict is suspected. Resolution Open a command prompt and type: netstat -a -n -p tcp -b This command will display all services running, protocol used, local and foreign address, state, and program name.   netstat -p tcp -ano This command will display all services running, protocol used, local and foreign address, state and PID (process identifier). Use Task Manager to match the PID to the program using the port. netstat -p tcp -ano | findstr :80 If a specific port number is necessary, this command will interrogate the system for the program currently using that port number:

Issue The bandwidth utilization in the Lon network is high, it is possible to see what Lon device and what objects in the Lon device that is causing the high load on the Lon network. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Cause When the load on the Lon network is too high (above 50%) you need to analyze the Lon communication to understand what Lon devices and objects in the Lon device that is causing the high load on the network. Resolution Use a Lon Protocol Analyzer to measure the Lon bandwidth utilization on the Lon network if the load on the network is too high (above 50%) analyze the communication. When doing that it is possible to use the trace log in the ES or AS-P, please see attached video of how that is done.    Configure Trace Log to capture Lon Communications Open Workstation and navigate to [AS/ES name]/System/Modules/Trace/Loggers/nsp/nsp.pin/nsp.pin.lon Right-click "nsp.pin.lon.comm" and choose Properties Under Level, change from "Information" to "Trace", then click ok Let it run for a few minutes. If there is some user input needed to recreate the lon issue, then perform these steps now Retrieve the log by right-clicking [AS/ES name]/System/Modules/Trace/TraceSettings and choose Trace settings->Get trace log Save the log file

Issue In order to troubleshoot random network issues, it is sometimes necessary to set up Wireshark to capture network traffic for an extended period of time. As Wireshark runs it decodes packets and its data structures grow. This causes performance issues and eventually, Wireshark may simply run out of virtual memory and stop capturing or crash. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Wireshark Cause Need to capture network traffic using Wireshark for an extended period of time. Resolution Open Wireshark and follow these instructions: From toolbar, select Capture -> Options On the Input tab, select input adapter. If necessary set capture filter. On the Output tab, perform the following: Browse capture file location and provide a filename. A timestamp will be added to the filename as a suffix. Ensure output format = pcapng Check Create a new file automatically Check After 1 and change seconds to hours Check when time is multiple of 1 and change seconds to hour Check use a ring buffer with X files. (Recommended settings are 96 hours (4 days) or 168 hours (1 week) so can retrieve files after long weekend or 1 week, respectively).  On the Options tab, perform the following Check last selection and change to 744 hours. (Recommended to capture for 31 days without stopping).  When an event happens, gather a capture with the timestamp before and after the event. One can ZIP the .pcapng files to save space when transferring.   NOTE: More recent versions of Wireshark ( 2.4.1.21317 ) make it very easy to set up a ring buffer from the Output tab of the Capture options. For older versions of Wireshark 1.x use the steps below When capturing data, Wireshark actually uses a capture utility called DumpCap to do the actual data capture. DumpCap does not decode packets as they come in and thus has a smaller memory footprint which remains constant. The only remaining concern is the size of the capture file or files which can be specified when starting the ring buffer to keep them from growing too big. DumpCap is found at the location where the Wireshark program resides which can be seen if you go to Help\About Whireshark\Folders Determine the index to the Ethernet adapter you need to capture on. In this example, the traffic seen by the Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet adapter will be captured. Index 1 is specified when starting DumpCap. Execute DumpCap with the following options dumpcap -i 1 -b files:3 -b filesize:10 -w C:]temp\abe.pcapng -i 1 specifies tp capture on the network adapter with an index of 1 -b file: 3 specifies to use a 4 file ring buffer. -b filesize:10 specifies to limit the file size to 10 KB (*** for a real life capture this number would be much bigger like say 100/200 MB) -w c:\temp\abe.pcapng specifies location and prefix for the three files In the screenshot below we can see the files in the ring buffer being used, once a file reaches the specified limit, the capture continues at the next file, files are names using the specified prefix as well as a date-time stamp that is updated each time utility dumps captured data in the file. Care should be taken to stop the capture as soon as possible once the issue under investigation takes place and before the ring buffer wraps around and overwrites the data.

Issue Script program Halts with error “Datetime calculation with overflow” resulting in the program not controlling Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Observed in versions 4.0.1.86 and 4.0.3.176 Cause When a script program subtracts one datetime from another it can result in a negative value if the datetime being subtracted (subtrahend) is a later datetime than the one being subtracted from (minuend).  This causes the program to halt with error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.  The issue can also occur when a script program calls a function that involves a datetime subtraction resulting in a negative value, for example the standard PID function.   The image below illustrates the issue where DT1 is a later time than DT2.     The problem has typically been seen to occur when using the PID function and the ASP is set to obtain updates from an NTP server.  The PID function uses the current time and the last time the function was called to calculate the time passed, for example: -   TimePassed = CurrentDate – LastTime   Ignoring the date portion consider the scenario where the ASP time is currently 14:01:00 but is one minute ahead of the actual time of the NTP server.  If the function has just been called the LastTime variable will be 14:01:00.  However, in the meantime if the ASP time is updated by the NTP server it becomes 14:00:00 and hence when the function is called again the calculation is: -   TimePassed = 14:00:00 – 14:01:00    This results in a negative value halting the program on error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.   Resolution Either of the two workarounds below can be used but each will need to be considered based on their overall impact.    Use the DIFFTIME function If calling a function check the subtrahend is not a later datetime than the minuend before calling.   This is reported in defect #50263

Issue How can I add a SmartStruxure Automation Server to TAC Vista using BACnet/IP and what is needed Product Line TAC Vista, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Vista Xenta 913 Automation Server Cause Building Operation versions earlier than 3.2 are not FDA 21 Part 11 approved, In instances where the version is lower than 3.2 it can be achieved by using  TAC Vista as a front end, and having Automation Servers as field controllers. In Building Operation version 3.2 and later an optional Regulated Industries Compliance Pack is available that can be used without the need for  TAC Vista as a front end. Resolution 1. Create a BACnet interface in Automation Server. 2. Create BACnet points in the "Application" folder 3. Browse the Automation Server with a BACnet browser (Here is a free tool) 4. Note the instance id's of the points 5. In TAC Vista, create a Xenta 913 6. Edit the Xenta 913 7. Create a "BACnet IP Client" interface and give it the IP address of the Automation Server 8. Create a BACnet device template containing the points you need - refer to the id's previously discovered 9. Add the device template to the "BACnet IP Client" interface in XBuilder 10. Save and download the project 11. Now you get the live values from the Automation Server in TAC Vista

Issue How can a workspace be created that can see only a single graphic page at a time. 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 Building Operation Workstation Cause While more complex workspaces can be created a kiosk or graphic page style interface could be the perfect workspace for the occasional user or touch screen style kiosk in a communal area. Resolution To create a workspace of this style it is important to use the Work Area Window instead of a Graphic pane since the Graphic pane will not fill the window area and has to be linked to a side of the workspace area. Open the StruxureWare Control Panel Select Account Management Click Add under Workspaces Specify the name of the Workspace ("Kiosk" for example) Click Next Click Add in the Content Window Highlight Work Area Window and  click Next Specify your initial path to be the default graphic you want to be presented such as a home page. Click Create Define what user interface options you want to restrict such as the history bar, toolbar, or address bar (Address bar for example can allow access to other parts of the database unless you restrict it with access rights or user permissions) Click Create Select your newly created workspace from the drop down menu and select  User Account groups Add the user account group you want to use this workspace to the right hand column. The graphic page only workspace should now be accessible or configured as the default workspace for a user both in Building Operation Workstation or Webstation.

Issue Trying to install SSL certificate via Web browser but the 'Install Certificate' button is missing. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Webstation SSL Cause User logged into the machine needs to have administrative privileges to install the certificate. Resolution When running the browser, right click on the browser's icon then select 'Run as administrator'

Issue It has come to our attention that people are using Backup and Restore to duplicate Automation Server databases, this is not supported and should not be used as it results in various issues.  Some of the known issues at this time are listed below: When attempting to update Server IP addresses using the advanced feature "Repair server communication"; one or more Automation Servers are listed as Offline even though they are shown as Online within the System Tree. (Click on image for larger view)   When performing a backup / restore from the Enterprise Server the Automation Server(s) are not listed as part of the Child view.    Right-clicking on the Automation Server does not give all the options available and most are grayed out. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 Cause This situation arises because each Automation Server receives a unique identifier, global unique identifier (GUID), when using the backup and restore function this GUID is retained.  Therefore when restored to other Automation Servers these will retain the same identifier.  The only course of action available within this environment is to detach the Automation Server from the Enterprise Server and create a new database from scratch. The correct duplication process across Automation Servers is to use the export and import feature or copy and paste (drag and drop) across Automation Servers.   Resolution StruxureWare Building Operation 1.6 and above update:   You can now use the Restore function to re-use the configuration data from a backup set in a new standalone Automation Server. Rather than manually configuring your preferred Automation Server configuration, you can save time and configure the standalone Automation Server from a backup set. Online help topic: Duplicating an Automation Server Using Restore Backup and Restore feature should NOT be used to duplicate multiple Automation Server's databases it should only be backed up and restored to the same server.  Instead the Export / Import and copy and past features are designed for this function.   A warning note in the Technical Reference and IT Reference guides (versions 1.2, 1.3, & 1.4) has been added warning the users not to use the backup and restore function for duplication.  See the online StruxureWare WebHelp for this current Important Note (login required): Backup and Restore Overview However if you have this situation then it may be possible to recover some or most of the database, please contact Product Support and reference this article number so that this issue can be confirmed.