Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Panel layout. Environment  ERG-UNIV-ENC-1 ERG-UNIV-ENC-2 Cause Need to determine panel layout for a project using the universal enclosures. Resolution From the data sheet... Medium Enclosure: Andover Continuum Power Supply and NetController, and up to two I/O modules or up to six I/O modules or CX 9702 SiteController.   Small Enclosure: Up to three I/O modules or CX 9702 SiteController or NetController (without a Power Supply) or VS-8-4 Video Switch Module. Both units are designed to hold two standard 12 VDC 7AH lead acid batteries (not provided). See the full data sheet here.

Issue How to have Continuum automatically lock a Windows workstation when the person leaves his/her office. Environment CyberStation Windows 7 Windows XP Cause Documentation Resolution Click here for a procedure to set up a mechanism for programmatically locking a Windows workstation based on the person's current area as obtained from the Continuum physical access control system. 

Issue Getting error cannot create ACWPPServerProxy application on the remote server when trying to use Web Pinpoint. Environment WebClient Cause Configuration issue Resolution Get the web.config file Download and place it in the Webservers. Do not edit this file with Notepad (Use Textpad ot Notepad++, etc.) 64-bit systems directory: C:\Program Files (86)\Continuum\DNWACServerfactory (delete the old one) 32-bit systems directory: C:\Program Files \Continuum\DNWACServerfactory (delete the old one) Reboot the Webserver. Start Continuum and edit any Graphic. Once the graphic is opened, select View / Options and set the Web locations. There shouldn't be any red X's Check the following file: 64 bit systems:.C:\Program Files (86)\Continuum\DNWACServerfactory\ web.config   32 bit systems: C:\Program Files\Continuum\DNWACServerfactory\web.config The server  name should be correct.  It should match you Webservers name. Now test Webclient on the webserver first before any client systems. Make sure you run RegIIS and Caspol.exe  C:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\caspol.exe -m -addgroup Internet_Zone -zone InterNet FullTrust -name FullTrust C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\caspol.exe -m -addgroup Trusted_Zone -zone Trusted FullTrust -name FullTrust Please note that the above may be case sensitive.

Issue After receiving the CyberStations Who Is broadcast  via the BCX4040 the third party device responds with an I Am packet.  However, the BCX is not passing the information back to Cyberstation.  Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation BACnet Who is I Am 3rd Party Find Bacnet device Learn Cause In the attached mstp capture images, neither of the responses from the Automated Logic device at packets 1713 and 5379 have the necessary information that would cause the bCX or any BACnet router to send the message to another network. 3rd Party device responds with an I Am Looking at the NPDU layer of either message, you’ll notice a destination network (DNET) is not indicated. If you compare these messages with those from the b3 (at packet 1716 or 5382), you’ll see a DNET of 1 indicated, which is why the I-Am’s from the b3 reach Cyber, as Cyber belongs to Network 1. BACnet end devices are expected to dynamically detect the presence of SNET/SADDR information in the NPDU and reply with a message that includes the matching values for the DNET/DADDR. b3 responds with an I Am In the preceding Who-is packets you can see that the network number has been communicated to the third party device Resolution BACnet routers or BACnet Building Controllers do not cache or otherwise correlate requests and responses. BACnet end devices are expected to dynamically detect the presence of SNET/SADDR information in the NPDU and reply with a message that includes the matching values for the DNET/DADDR. The role of the BACnet router is to remove the DNET/DADDR information and add the SNET/SADDR information when they route messages from one network to another.  

Issue Internet Explorer 9 not supported Environment Internet Explorer 9 IE9 IE 9 webClient Continuum webClient Cause Internet Explorer 9 ( IE 9) is not supported in webClient 1.94 Resolution Please click HERE to see attachment for details on uninstalling Internet Explorer 9 This procedure will remove IE 9 and IE 8 will be available on the machine.

Issue Showing a list of doors in a web browser using a custom web page in the controller. Environment CX9900 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Documentation Resolution Click here to see sample PE code to show web page that can be accessed from the controller's 'Custom Reports and Services' link.

Issue Controller crashes during reload. Error log shows illegal instruction. 0xbadd0004 0x00002000 0x01802174 0x40102000 0x085be4d8 Reset (illegal instruction) Environment All CX controllers Cause Incompatible XDriver loaded. Continuum controllers can be either first or second generation. The XDriver used must be matched with the controller generation.   First generation controllers are 92xx, 94xx, 99xx Second generation controllers are 9702, 9640, 4xxx, 9680, and 57xx Resolution Load the appropriate XDriver in the controller. If upgrading a controller such as going from a 9200 to a 9680, review the Third Party Interface Data Sheet to locate the re-compiled second generation Xdriver. NOTE: Not all XDrivers have been made available for second generation controllers, if the Xdriver is not available check with the third party vendor to see if a standard ModBus or BACnet plug in/upgrade is available for the device.

Issue Report objects being emailed using the ReportCmdLine.exe application do not get sent properly. The emailed attachment is unable to be opened as a PDF or Web object. When the same report is being saved to file, the resulting file is readable. When the same report is being email from the Report objects Email button, the resulting attached file is readable. Only when the ReportCmdLine.exe program is used to send an email attachment of the report does this fail.  Environment Continuum Cyberstation v1.81 Microsoft Outlook Cause This is a defect in the original Continuum v1.81 Hotfix that this BETA hotfix resolves. Resolution Install this new BETA patch (now included a new Util.dll and Reportviewer.exe files) into your Continuum folder using the below method for both files. Find the patch here. Shut down CyberStation(s) Copy the existing file reportviewer.exe in the Continuum directory to another file so you now have a new file named "copy of reportviewer.exe". Delete the original reportviewer.exe. Copy the new reportviewer.exe file from the hotfix archive to the Continuum directory. Copy the existing file Util.dll in the Continuum directory to another file so you now have a new file named "copy of Util.dll". Delete the original Util.dll. Copy the new Util.dll file from the hotfix archive to the Continuum directory. Restart the CyberStation(s) You should now be able to view the email attachments both in PDF and Web format.  

Issue Upgrading site from Continuum v1.8x to v1.9x. with Elevator Control software. Continuum v1.91 and above now supports the Elevator Floor Module directly from within the Personnel Manager. Information on this new feature and how to implement is required. Environment Continuum Cyberstation v1.91 and above Elevator Control Software Personnel Editor Elevator Floor Module Cause Elevator floor selection is now done through the new Elevator Floor Module selected from a button within the Personnel Manager, thus removing the requirement to use the external Elevator PIM application for floor selection. Resolution The Elevator Floor Module is a free add-on for Elevator Control V2.6x.  It allows you to open the Elevator Floor selection window directly from the Continuum V1.91 (and above) Personnel Manager.  There is now no need to run the external Elevator PIM for Elevator Template or floor assignment.  Another added feature with the new Module is that Personnel objects can now reside in any folder. You can see more information on the features available and how to configure the Module at the link below. Elevator Floor Module Configuration For the Floor Module to work, it does require the Elevator Software to be installed and configured on the Continuum Workstation as well as the Continuum Security Key to be enabled with the Elevator option.

Issue Change of Value alarm is configured to alarm when an analog value changes by certain value but does not produce an alarm when the monitored object changes by that amount. Environment Continuum Cyberstation bCX1 b3xxx Cause EventNotification or monitored object has not been configured properly. Resolution There are a number of configuration reasons for these Change of Value alarms to seem like they are not being delivered to the Workstation. Check the Current State tab of the EventEnrollment to see if the ToNormal time is changing when you modify your monitored object. If this time is not updating then the EventNotification or monitored object are not configured properly, check the following: Confirm that the BACnet object type in the monitored object is configured properly. If this numeric is a number then it needs to be set to "AnalogValue". Confirm that a "send to database" has been performed on this controller on the BACnet side to send these points to the BACnet side. See details here on how to create BACnet alarms. If this time is changing then the EventNotification and monitored object are configured properly but the alarm is not being delivered to your Workstation. Check  that one or more of the following is the cause: The Change of Value alarm will generate a ReturnToNormal alarm, confirm that the EventNotification is configured to Send Return to Normal alarms - this option needs to be ticked under "Send". Confirm that the option to  remove the alarm from the active alarm list is configured so that the alarm is not removed as soon as it is delivered. A selection of Returned to Normal or Acknowledged OR Returned to Normal on the Deactivate tab will mean that the alarm is removed from the active alarm list as soon as it is delivered. Select any of the following Deactivate options for the alarms to show up in the alarm list: Acknowledged, Acknowledged AND Returned to Normal, or Acknowledged AFTER Returned to Normal.

Issue How to delay the intrinsic controller status alarms to accommodate controllers that are sporadically going offline for short periods of time due to known network problems. Environment Continuum BACnet Controllers bCX1 b3xxx Cause Need to delay controller offline messages to accommodate slow network communications or remote controllers. Resolution The intrinsic alarm for the controller status will trigger when the controller does not respond to communications from the within the probe time and would not be suitable for this delay. The only way to delay a controller offline alarm for an amount of time after the controller goes offline, is to monitor the controller offline status from the workstation with a program, toggle a variable that then has an AlarmEnrollment attached. This AlarmEnrollment would then have a Time Delay configured. See the attached sample screenshot below showing the program in the Workstation, the AlarmEnrollment, and the Active Alarm View showing the time delay between the intrinsic alarm and the new AlarmEnrollment with a delay configured. Example

Issue How to determine who is logged into the Continuum system and onto which workstation? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause Is it possible to see via a Listview or Pinpoint who is logged into Continuum and onto which workstation?   Resolution There is no "live" means to see who is logged into what workstation. However, a listview of ActivityEvent filtered by today and action code 15 and 16 and auto-refreshing every 30 seconds is pretty close. This listview will show what user logged in and when to which workstation. It will show the same information for users logging off. So one can deduce who is currently on which workstation. Simply download and unzip this dump file and import it into the root of Continuum Explorer and run it.    

Issue Continuum and Mantrap or Interlock Interval Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum site with Access Control Cause Site needing to setup a Mantrap or Interlock Interval for higher security of an area Resolution What is a mantrap? A mantrap is a security device that monitors and controls two or more interlocking doors to a small room that separates a non-secured area from a secured area. These interlocking doors allow only one door to be open at any time. What are interlocking doors? “Interlocking doors” is a security term used to describe how two or more doors are interfaced with each other and locked. Doors that are interlocked cannot be open at the same time. Either door can be unlocked and opened as long as the other door is locked and closed, and no other alarm condition exists. What types of locations require a mantrap? Mantraps are used at high value or critical security areas where only authorized persons are allowed to enter. Typical areas include sensitive data processing areas, cash handling areas, critical research labs, security control rooms, and automated airline passenger entry portals. Why would my company consider a mantrap? Typically, security personnel are posted in high security locations to control access into the area. An automatic mantrap used in this same location would control the access to the area, allowing security personnel resources to be available for other tasks. What is the difference between a mantrap and an interlocking door control system? When speaking of controlling two doors within a vestibule, “mantrap” and “interlocking door controller” can be used interchangeably. Once the number of doors controlled by a single controller exceeds two then the term interlocking door controller should be used. Continuum Mantraps are accomplished by a PE Program. Interlock Interval is available at the bottom of this article. Here is a simple mantrap program written as a sample. ManTrap_A and ManTrap_B are the doors that make up the man trap ------------- 'This program implements a Man Trap that allows one person at a time in the man trap. 'Once a person is in the man trap no access is allowed until the occupant leaves the man trap via the REX. ' The occupant is allowed to exit at either door but once they have activated the REX at one door 'they are required to leave via that door. 'If occupant stays in the trap longer than TrapMaxOccTime and alarm can be sent via ManTrapStuck 'TrapMaxOccTime and ManTrapStuck are InfinityNumeric objects in the controller. 'Program is Looping and AutoStart TRAP_READY: ManTrap_A DisRdrKpAccess = False ManTrap_B DisRdrKpAccess = False ManTrap_A OpenOnExitReqst = True ManTrap_B OpenOnExitReqst = True If ManTrap_A ValidAccess or ManTrap_B ValidAccess then Goto TRAP_OCCUPIED TRAP_OCCUPIED: ManTrap_A DisRdrKpAccess = True ManTrap_B DisRdrKpAccess = True  If ManTrap_B ExitRequest then ManTrap_A OpenOnExitReqst = False Goto WAIT_EXIT_B Endif If ManTrap_A ExitRequest then ManTrap_B OpenOnExitReqst = False Goto WAIT_EXIT_A Endif WAIT_EXIT_A: If ManTrap_A DoorSwitch = Opened then Goto TRAP_READY If TS > TrapMaxOccTime then ManTrapStuck = On WAIT_EXIT_B: If ManTrap_B DoorSwitch = Opened then Goto TRAP_READY If TS > TrapMaxOccTime then ManTrapStuck = On 'Keep program from disabling due to run time errors E: if ts > 30 then goto TRAP_READY   For Interlock Interval please use this PDF. Interlock is hardware controlled, not through a PE.

Issue Using a door keypad to enter command codes to carry out commands such as arm/disarm system, extend door unlock on jet way etc. Environment CX9900 with AC1Plus CX9680 with AC1Plus ACX5720 ACX5740 Cause Requirements Resolution Click here for a PDF document with instructions on how to configure the system to capture command codes using a keypad at a door.

Issue My computer has USB ports, but it does not have serial or com ports. Can I use USB ports? Environment For I/NET, Host computer that either Direct Connects (cable 072) or you need to connect to a controller such as a 7798C (cable 082) Continuum, Vista, Sigma, I/A Series, Pelco, DVR, DS, Com Port, Com, PTZ Control, Serial Port, Comm, Comm Port Cause USB to Com has issues downloading or communicating with system. Resolution The generic drivers which came with your USB to Com adapter do not allow two-way communication.  Prolific driver often helps resolve this issue. Download driver HERE or for the latest driver use link below: http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/CustomerLogin.aspx    you will need to logon as GUEST  

Issue Site requirement that all card holders' records be kept disabled and are only enabled when card holders enter the building. Environment CyberStation CX9900 CX9702 CX9680 ACX5740 ACX5720 ACX781 Cause Not known cause Resolution Click here to see sample PE programs that implement the use case.

Issue What is the bCX and NCII required bandwidth? 10Mb, 100Mb Network Connections, GSM Modems. Environment Continuum Ethernet level controllers: ACX57xx, Netcontroller II and bCX1 Cause IT Departments often ask for the required IP Network bandwidth for the CX and bCX controllers; as it is not listed on the datasheets. Is there a bandwidth calculator available? Resolution The Network usage of a bCX/ CX/ ACX controller will vary constantly depending on what is happening on the system at the time. It will be affected by user commends, Graphics, Plain English programming, Access events, reloading or re-flashing controllers and time triggered events. The 2nd generation controllers network connection supports a 10Mb half duplex or 100Mb full duplex auto sensing permanent connection. Note: Older 1st generation controllers (CX9200, CX9400, CX9900 series) only support 10Mb half duplex. So a corresponding up to 10Mb or 100Mb connection would be ideal. GSM Modem or other packet based communication networks are unlikely to be able to provide the continuous data throughput required by Continuum. In terms of bandwidth an absolute minimum of 1Mb in both directions is recommended but this will depend on the specific site requirements you have, for example if there is a requirement to update graphic or alarm values within a specific time then a 10Mb connection would be more appropriate. The following Bandwidth Calculator can be used to determine the % network usage on a 10Mb network connection. This was created specifically for typical Access Control projects, so for HVAC applications the following should also be considered: data logging, PE programs passing data, IP based X Drivers. Fill in the appropriate values in Column D for the system: Bandwidth Calculator.

Issue How can I use more than four site codes in Continuum? Environment Continuum Access Control ACX57xx CX9900 CX9680 CX9702 ACX781 Cause Continuum will only support four site codes. Resolution A workaround to this is to use the Custom Wiegand card format to create unique card numbers. To do this, we will set the custom format to allow a unique 24-bit card number to be created from the existing 8-bit site code and the 16-bit card number. Download Instructions

Issue Personnel are not deleting properly using a stand alone database in 1.82 and above Environment Continuum 1.82 Continuum 1.9x SQL Express 2005 (Stand Alone) Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is a different mechanism used to delete personnel in SQL Express than was used in previous versions of Stand Alone databases (MSDE). The SQL agent is no longer available in SQL Express so a combination of batch files, SQL queries and Microsoft scheduler are used to accomplish this task. Resolution Several things to check: Ensure all controllers are online (a controller offline can cause deletions to not happen) A personnel listview with the deletepending attribute indicates True A controller was not deleted No areas were deleted Expiration date is not greater than 2031 Check the access distribution view for any errors At times for permission issues not all the components for deletion are configured by the Cyberstation installation and it's necessary to troubleshoot those components. Click here for a Word document describing these components to help troubleshoot.

Issue Customers wanting to use a Barcode Reader for door access Environment Access Control site wanting to use Barcode Readers Cause Barcode Readers often are a higher  Resolution I/NET The SCU is the best you could have so that makes it easier with memory requirements and so forth. Since you have the SCU, set it up for 26-bit Wiegand (2 parity bits and 24 data bits). It would look like this: e eeeeeeee eeeeooooooooooooo o That is a 1-bit starting bit, even parity, 8-bit facility code, site number, card number, 16-bit segment, and the 1-bit ending parity (26 bits all together). That is how many data bits the reader normally takes. 26-bit Wiegand is typical and most common. The true bits are the facility code, site and card number. The beginning and end is the parity. For more information, see TCON300, beginning on page 9-59. This is the key card translations section, and may be valuable in figuring out the solution to the bar code reader. Lastly, one idea is to contact a company called RFIDeas.com. They make a bar code reader that may be a solution. If the bar code reader is outputting a card number larger than 16 digits, convert it to 26-bits of Wiegand data (it can handle up to 64-bitWiegand). If it goes over 64-bit, they have a special firmware which allows up to 254 bits of wiegand data. With the SCU, the 26-bit is the standard. Code 128 is used to barcode INET products. The Cypressworld CVX-1300 is an alternate solution for connection between the I/NET SCU and the Barcode Reader. Continuum Code 39 is used to barcode the serial number on Continuum and Pelco boards.  Most readers can auto switch between these and other code types.