Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When using mstpcap.exe to capture, it automatically stops after 65535 packets. Similarly, when using Wireshark, it will stop capturing if the dissector encounters an issue. This article provides a solution to continuously capture BACnet MS/TP traffic in a ring buffer and store it as files. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series Environment Wireshark Any BACnet MSTP RS-485 network Cause Analyze BACnet traffic via capture files. Resolution Install Wireshark. Ensure TShark is checked when installing options.  Ensure Wireshark is installed with Npcap (default) or WinPCap has been installed by IA Series Workplace Tech. Install mstpcap.exe referencing BACnet MSTP Capture Application. Ensure that mstpcap.exe has been configured for the correct port and baud rate. Here is an example for Command Prompt and PowerShell: # Command Prompt cd "C:\Program Files\Wireshark\extcap" mstpcap.exe com3 38400 # PowerShell cd 'C:\Program Files\Wireshark\extcap' ./mstpcap.exe com3 38400 Run Tshark to determine the interface being used by mstpcap so that one can reference it by number. For this example, we are going to choose 9. COM3 (BACnet MS/TP on COM3). Please change the number below to the number of your interface.  Start Tshark capture by entering the following command, updating as needed. The commands below save Test01.pcap to the Username's desktop. Please store to a location that the user has access to write.  # Command Prompt cd "C:\Program Files\Wireshark" tshark.exe -i 9 -b duration:3600 -b files:72 -w "C:\Users\Username\Desktop\Desktop\Test01.pcap​"​ # PowerShell cd 'C:\Program Files\Wireshark' ./tshark.exe -i 9 -b duration:3600 -b files:72 -w 'C:\Users\Username\Desktop\Desktop\Test01.pcap​' Note: Change  -i 9  to the number of the interface on the capturing machine. Change  -b duration  to time in seconds (3600 is one hour). Change  -b files  to the number of files to cycle through (72 is 3 days of 1-hour captures, 3x24). Change  -w  to write to the location and filename you choose. Change  \Username\  to your Windows User, if you want to save to that user's Desktop Reference: tshark(1) Manual Page (wireshark.org)

Issue Customer request of a sample Plain English program to unlock a list of doors by toggling a switch. NOTES Sample program provided here as proof of concept only, and is not intended as a complete solution but rather as general guidelines, significant modifications maybe required to adapt the sample program to an acceptable solution per local site requirements. The sample program as written works with a "maintain position" toggle switch, if site is using a "momentary" switch then the program will need modifications. Resolution Sample PE Program in PE Editor   See attached text file   

Issue What alternatives are available for accessing Continuum WebClient from browsers other than Internet Explorer? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum WebClient Server Cause While Internet Explorer is the only officially supported browser for Continuum WebClient, Microsoft has announced that support for Internet Explorer will end in June 2022.   When accessing WebClient sites using Microsoft Edge in Internet Explorer mode. WebClient server returns an error, indicating that Internet Explorer is needed to access WebClient. Resolution It is possible to access WebClient using Microsoft Edge in Internet Explorer Mode. 1. In Edge click on the ellipses (...) top right then select Settings and set like the snapshot below. a. Allow sites to be reloaded in Internet Explorer Mode(Allow) b. Add the webclient machine's login page (http://webclientservername/webclient/logon.aspx) 2. Setting Internet Explorer compatibility mode and Internet Explorer mode for future use. Navigate to the webclient URL with Edge and select Reload in Internet Explorer mode By default, these settings will be Disabled, Set both of the buttons to Enable as shown below. Note: you may have to go through the process twice to enable both buttons   A snapshot of a successful login to webclient with Edge and also the selection in yellow to Exit Internet Explorer Mode if necessary to run other web applications.   The method of specifying Internet Explorer Mode for a site’s webClient URL will depend on how the customer treats the configuration of Edge – either settings at the individual Edge level or via group policy settings.

Issue Changing the Module ID after physically replacing a modules gives error "Incorrect response (or no response) from IO module" Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9940 CX9680 IOU Module Cause Controller's OMS database is out of sync with SQL database. Resolution To synchronize the OMS database with the SQL database:- Put CyberStation in offline edit mode. Edit the IOU Module object and enter the new Module ID. Save the object Return CyberStation to online edit mode. Perform a Send to controller, reloading the controller will sync the OMS db in the controller with the SQL database. Note the following: Make sure to use the option to reload attached objects but not attached controllers If IOUs go offline when sending to controller after doing this, manually get IOUs online, perform a send to database and send to controller. If a number of IOUs were replaced this process may need to be repeated several times until the send to controller works with no errors.

Issue A dialog of "Cannot open .NET editor with .NET Framework" comes up with new installation of Webclient or after a Microsoft update of .NET 4.5.x. There was an error trying to create the .NET control for this page. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Webclient Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Windows 10 Internet Explorer Cause Microsoft changed the behavior of Internet Explorer when .net 4.5.x is installed on a PC. It turns off .net 2.0 support which is needed for several editors to function on Webclient browser PCs Resolution See web.Client v2.0 .Net Editor Hotfix on the EcoXpert Extranet This is a registry key file that installs the registry keys mentioned further down in this article. It allows Internet Explorer to utilize .net 2.0 that several webclient editors use. This hotfix contains a .reg file which changes the registry, it is recommended to make a Windows Restore point or a backup (export) of the existing registry folder (hive). The hotfix only updates the following keys, so the changes can also easily be made manually. On an 32-bit (x86) Operating System Add a DWORD attribute with the name EnableIEHosting to KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\.NETFramework Set the value to 1 On an 64-bit Operating System Add a DWORD attribute with the name EnableIEHosting to KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\.NETFramework Set the value to 1 A reboot of the webclient browser PC is required after the change is made. Each browser PC will need to have this fix applied. Microsoft Edge can also be used on newer client PCs, see the following article: Microsoft Edge can be used for webclient client PCs   

Issue Error 'The UPREV engine was asked to process an invalid code type' when flashing the firmware in the controller. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment bCX9640 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause RAM issues Resolution Using a browser login to the controller and perform a 'Clear Database Backup', commit changes and restart the controller. When the controller has re-started  disconnect the battery, power down the controller and after a minute power the controller up and re-connect the battery. Wait for the controller to come back online and then try the uprev operation once again.

Issue Can the user set the 'Number of States' and the 'State Text' in a multi state object? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment BACnet b3 controllers Multi-state values Cause The b3 firmware does not allow the Number of States or State Text to be modified This is Function as designed. Resolution Continuum DOES NOT allow changes to the default number of states and state labels. The 'Number of States' field is read only. An attempt to change any of the label will result in the following error: An error code was returned from a BACnet operation, but the reason could not be determined. The same is seen in EBO if any attempt is made to edit the State Text, see below

Issue bCX9640, CX9680, ACX5720 and ACX5740 do not have ACCRestartMode system variable. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation bCX9640 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause The restart mode of the second generation Infinity CX controllers (9640, 9680, 5720/40) is not user selectable. Resolution The second generation Infinity CX controllers (9640, 9680, 5720/40) have a fixed startup sequence as follows: Warm to Cool to Cold, meaning the controller will ALWAYS first attempt to WARM start, if warm start is not possible the controller will attempt a COOL start, if cool start if not possible the controller will attempt a COLD start. Warm start: Controller is re-starting with its RAM memory intact because the controller has remained powered or the memory has been kept by the battery. In this case all the configuration data (points, programs) and run time data (logs, points current values) is restored. Cool start: Controller is re-starting with its RAM memory erased or is unable to restore data from RAM for whatever reason. In this case the configuration data only (points, programs) is restored provided it has been previously backed up to flash memory. NOTE: Personnel objects are NOT kept in flash, upon cool start the controller will automatically request a personnel distribution from its access server CyberStation. Cold start: Controller unable to warm start or cool start, all configuration and runtime data will be lost. It must be reloaded from CyberStation.

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 Alarms cannot be sent to recipient CyberStation (Workstation) when controller has lost the link to the CyberStation in regard to the alarmed point in Import/Export table. The new alarm shows up in Active Alarm View only after the CyberStation is rebooted Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Workstation, CyberStation NetController (CX99xx, CX96xx) Cause Import/Export table in the NetController does not have the link to the workstation for the alarmed point. Resolution Backup current DB. Shutdown Continuum from all the CyberStations. Execute ImpExpFixupUtil.exe from Continuum install folder (C:\Program Files\Continuum). Reload all the NetController with the "Do not reload attached objects" option.

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 SLP BACnet Setpoint limits Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Andover Continuum, Field Devices Environment SpaceLogic SLP Series Cause The BACnet Object "Temperature Setpoint" includes properties Minimum and Maximum values These can be used to limit the setpoint, however the values are not saved in non volatile memory, thus the value revert to default after a power cycle (0 and 50 degC). The Setpoint object needs to be manually downloaded from EBO following a power cycle to set these properties. These properties cannot be written to individually. Thus changing these properties is unlikely to be good practice. Resolution A script program can be used to set limits to the Temperature Setpoint. Example below Note the "Value transfer settings" need changing to "Transfer value each time..." as below

  Issue Unable to convert DMP file to SmartX servers with EBO 3.x, 4.x and 5.x using Continuum Conversion Tool(CCT) with PCT 2.0 Example: CCT3.2 is unable to connect to an AS-P in v3.2 created in PCT 2.0 It shows the "The user session is lost, no specific reason has been set" error when trying to connect. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Conversion Tool Project Configuration Tool Cause PCT 2.0 is not compatible with earlier versions of CCT Resolution In PCT 2.0, create a version 6.0 ES. In PCT 2.0, create an older version of AS-P. In PCT 2.0, make the older version AS-P a child of version 6.0 ES. In WorkStation 6.0, log on to the ES, navigate to the AS-P, and create the desired MS/TP or Infinet networks. In CCT 6.0, log on to the ES and import and analyze the desired Continuum dump file. In CCT 6.0, click to select the target MS/TP or Infinet networks. When doing so, navigate into the older version of AS-P to select the desired networks. Convert the dump file.

Issue Firmware version and bootloader version do not match Product Line Andover Continuum Environment BCX b3 Cause Verification required on why the two do not always match Resolution When firmware versions (application firmware files) are posted to the web, they do not always included the associated bootloader version. The reason for this is that rarely is a bootloader version changed. When bootloader versions do change it will be announced in the release notes for the particular firmware version.

Issue The network card is not working on the PC.  Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Access Expert, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Security Expert, Satchwell BAS & Sigma, Satchwell MicroNet, TAC IA Series TAC I/NET, TAC Vista Environment PC Network Interface Card Cause Require a method to test the network card. Resolution Assuming you have the correct protocols loaded:- Open up a command prompt and type ‘ipconfig’(1) then press enter to get a list of the available network cards. Find the specific network card by name (2) Record the IP Address (3) assigned to the card, e.g. 192.168.5.90 If the card is unplugged (4) connect a network cable and start back at step 1 If the network card does not appear in Device Manager check the drivers are correctly installed for the card and when installed correctly start back at step 1. If the network card still does not appear it could be disabled.  In Network Connections right click the adaptor and select Enable (5) and start back at step 1. After these steps if the network card still does not appear when running ipconfig it is most likely damaged. If/when an IP Address is successfully obtained open a Command Prompt and type ping followed by the IP Address of the card, for example ping 192.168.5.90 (1). A functioning card will respond with 4 successfully replies (2) and the associated statistics (3) As additional information a good first step would be to "ping 127.0.0.1". This will not test a network card but indicates that the TCP/IP protocol is installed and functioning on the host PC.

Issue Received error 'IO Channel number out of range' when creating a door on AC1/AC1A/AC1Plus on an IO module.  The same door configured on a module with a lower IOU number saves successfully. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum CyberStation Netcontroller  AC Module Cause The IO module is configured with an IOU number that is above the MAX IOU modules supported by the NetController.  Note this is true even if there is only ONE module configured. Resolution Check the IOU module number entered in the door object (1) Check the Max IOU module supported (2)   Delete the IOU module and recreate it using an IOU number at or below the max IOU number supported by the Net Controller.

Issue Infinity controller error: Type not valid for this IO channel Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause ElecType mismatch between what is in the database and the field controller hardware. An example of this problem would be offline creating a voltage output on a DO-4.  It will save to the DB since it is a valid InfinityOutput configuration.   Although when attempting to do a Send to Controller the controller knows that point type is not valid on the specific IOU module hardware. This can also happen when an object is imported into Continuum because the database error checking is less strict than when creating the object online. Resolution Go into offline editing Check the point configuration If it does not match the field hardware, then correct it, save it, go to online mode and reload.

Issue The database is logging multiple alarm entries each time a point goes into alarm. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Alarms MSMQ SQL Server Event Notifications Cause Various causes. Resolution The following is a list of conditions which may produce multiple alarm event logging. Network Latency  In cases where the network is extremely slow or workstation are overburdened, the process of logging alarms may be slowed to the point where a second alarm is sent by the controller while the previous alarm is still in the process of being logged. In one particular case the logging workstations associated with the duplicate log entries were all in India while the database server was in the US.  The problem was resolved by changing the ACCID of all of the India workstations to 253 or higher so that they were not involved in logging alarms. Database insertion errors If there are database insertion errors in the ACCTrace, Cyberstation cannot send an acknowledgement that the alarm event has been logged. Consequently the controller will continue to send the alarm event until it receives notification that the alarm has been successfully logged. Database Server latency It is not unusual to see Database Insertion errors when a Continuum DB server is struggling to keep up with the demands that the system has placed on it. A use Task Manager and other tools to evaluate the processor and memory consumption. Enhanced Alarm Logging and Enhanced Alarm Delivery. If Enhanced alarm logging/delivery is broken due not shutting down all workstations before doing a database update, it is possible to have combination of enhanced and old style alarm delivery.  The solution is to shut down all workstations and perform a db update with Enhanced Logging and Enhanced Delivery selected. Workstation Resources.  If the logging workstation is over burdened with reports, programs, extended log downloading, etc.

Issue Where can I get example programs and programming information on the Smart sensors? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Smart Sensors: TTS-SD-LCD-1 TTS-SD-LED-1 Cause Smart sensors require specific Plain English programming that is different from other controllers, where is the documentation to support this? Resolution The Smart Sensor Installation and User's Guide and Example programs for the Smart Sensors are available for download from The Exchange Extranet.   PSS Example programs

Issue HID Corporate 1000 48-bit card not natively supported by Continuum System Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CX9900/9940 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5740/5720 Cause Continuum does not have built-in support for the HID Corp 1000 48-bit cards.  The system must be configured using a custom card format program. Beginning March, 2015, HID Global will introduce a new Corporate 1000 format referred to as “Corporate 1000 – 48”. All end-users who register for the Corporate 1000 program after February, 2015 will be issued a unique Company ID in the new Corporate 1000 – 48 format. The original 35-bit Corporate 1000 format will now be referred to as “Corporate 1000 – 35”. Those end-users who have been issued a unique Company ID in the Corporate 1000 – 35 format can continue to order credentials without interruption or change. Introduction of the new format will not impact or affect customers who registered for the program under the original structure. Resolution Here is the process to create a custom format for a HID Corp 1000 48-bit card in Continuum.  Only one custom card format can be used in NC1(CX99xx), NC2(CX968x) using AC1 modules, while up to four custom formats can be used with the ACX57xx and NC1/NC2 using AC1Plus modules. Create in each NC1, NC2, ACX57xx an InfinityNumeric point called AccessFormat (use this spelling exactly!). During the creation process, attach a manual array (log) with 22 entries to the point.  If creating more than  custom card format create InfinityNumeric points called Accessformat2, AccessFormat3 and AccessFormat4. Create the following InfinityProgram in each controller. The program should be type FallThru, and AutoStart.  The program can be copied to other access controllers where it is needed.   Note: The HID Corp 1000 48-bit card format allows site codes to be up to 22 bits, however, site codes in Continuum are restricted to a 16 bit value (0 to 65535), due to this Continuum limitation only the 16 least significant bits of the site code encoded on the cards can be read in Continuum, site code values above 65535 will show as different smaller number in Continuum. Program Name: SetCustCrdArray FlowType: FallThru AutoStart: True Code: Line SetFormat Set accessformat[0] to 1 'array has been initialized Set accessformat[1] to 48 'total number of bits in the format Set accessformat[2] to 0 'control mask Set accessformat[3] to 0 'mfg mask Set accessformat[4] to 0 'start bit of mfg Set accessformat[5] to 0 'end Set accessformat[6] to 8 'start of site code Set accessformat[7] to 23 'end Set accessformat[8] to 24 'start of card number Set accessformat[9] to 46 'end of card Set AccessFormat[10] to 14043 ' odd parity mask, first 16 bits Set AccessFormat[11] to 28086 ' odd parity, next 16 Set AccessFormat[12] to 56173 'odd parity, next 16 Set AccessFormat[13] to 0 ' odd parity, next 16 Set AccessFormat[14] to 23501 ' even parity, first 16 Set AccessFormat[15] to 45811 ' even parity, next 16 Set AccessFormat[16] to 28086 'even parity, next 16 Set AccessFormat[17] to 0 ' even parity, next 16 Set accessformat[18] to 0 'even number multiplier Set accessformat[19] to 0 'card number divider Set accessformat[18] to 0 'even number multiplier Set accessformat[19] to 0 'card number divider Set accessformat[20] to 0 'start bit of issue code Set accessformat[21] to 0 'end bit of issue code Set accessformat[22] to 0 'decimal shift of issue code stop

Issue Creating a Listview/Report to show all the personnel objects which have access to a given area.   Product Line Andover Continuum   Environment CyberStation   Cause Reports can be used to do a security audit of which individuals have access to certain Areas in a building.   Resolution Create a Listview object In the class field select AreaLink Add columns for PersonID and AreaID (Add any other column as needed) In the Qualifier tab enter the following qualifier: AreaID Is XXX Id where XXX = full path to area Example: AreaId is Root\AreaFolder\Lobby Id **NOTE Use folder\area aliases ONLY in the qualifier, do not use names. Save and run the Listview.  The Listview should show all Personnel objects that have the Area specified by AreaID in their Area list. To generate actual Report Object from the list view see How to create a Report from a Listview.