Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Xenta error log - NoLink 29 Environment Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause When checking the error log of an Xenta there is a error "NoLink 29". The error means that the network cable has been unplugged or that the Xenta has lost contact with the host in another way. Resolution 1. Check so that there is no loose ends on the TCP/IP cable connected to the Xenta and the router/switch. 2. Check with IT department to see if there has been any planned or unplanned disruption on the network.

Issue In Niagara G3, is there a way to access the Alarm Portal through a web browser? Environment Niagara G3 Alarm Portal Cause Through the web, only the alarm console associated with the connected station can be viewed, and only one station at a time. Resolution The Alarm Portal is a program that runs off the Workbench framework, but can also be purchased as a stand alone product (i.e. no need to purchase Workbench and Alarm Portal, just purchase the portal). With the Alarm Portal software, connecting to multiple consoles at once is possible (similar to using Tools > Alarm Portal within Workbench). The other option is to create a Station Recipient for the desired alarm class in the ENC station's Alarm Service that points to the Enterprise Network Server, and use the server's Alarm Console. As long as the user has permissions to access the alarm console in the server, then the user can navigate to it in the nav tree.  It can also be added as a node in the .nav file for easy access to the location.  The user would still need the appropriate permissions to access the console.

Issue Remote Client Configuration Issues I.Net 2.31 and prior Product Line TAC INET Environment I/Net Seven version 2.xx with need for Remote Client configuration. Equalization, FileMaster, File Master, Equalized Client, Remote Client, Equalize, FM, EQ, RC, MSDE, Express, Full SQL, SQL, TCP/IP, Connection Cause Remote Client changes with I/Net Seven version 2.21 to 2.31 release. Resolution There are two different configurations for the Remote Client setup in I/Net Seven. Clicking the links below will open a PDF document which will show how the communication should be setup. This configuration is in the I/O Server under the current profile and can be found in the Workstation Options.   *IP Addresses are for demonstration purposes only.

Issue Update Vista Database fails. Error in the Output Build window states: 6/4/2010 12:00:00 AM Error: Operator unit object defined in TAC Network settings does not exist; Server_Name. 6/4/2010 12:00:00 AM Update Vista database failed.   Environment TAC Vista System Plug-In Cause The operator unit object is the name of the Vista Server that is being updated. If the server has been renamed through Vista Server Setup or (more often) the database has been moved from PC to PC, then the default defined operator unit object may not match the current Vista database.   Resolution Update the Operator Unit Object in the System Plug-in. In the System Plug-in, navigate to TAC Network > Settings... > Network > Operator unit object: Click the browse button (...) Click on the Vista Server object and hit the Select button Update Vista database again. The error is cleared.

Issue How to understand the Time Stamp on the different Xenta 5/7/9xx log reports. Environment Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause When you log in to the Xenta via a webinterface and choose utilities you can choose to view some reports.  The time stamp on different reports are used differently. Resolution When you log in to the Xenta via a webinterface and choose utilities you can choose to view some reports "Error" and "System report" When you open up the Error report you can see this information on top of the screen (System Error Log - Compiled "Date") The Date field are set to the Date and Time you pressed the link, This is because the report are generated the minute you press the link. When you open up the System Report you can see this information on top of the screen (System information overview "Date") The Date field are set to the Date and Time the last event came in (approximately). You also have the System Information log. When you click on this you will see on top System information overview "date" Where the date will be set to the minute you press the button. This is because the report are generated when you click the link.

Issue I/NET - Temporary Individual download problem Environment I/Net Seven using Access Control with at least one host pc for making badges or used for Access Control editing. Cause Download of changes to Access cards or Individual information not getting to the controller right away. Resolution If you add a card to the system and want it to be temporary be sure to check the "Automatic DPU restore" under Edit - Network configuration choose modify the Link. Choose what Host that should handle the request. Listing more than one Host address will increase network traffic and burden the network. I suggest you put a single Badging Machine or Host for Restore host 1. This can be read about in TCON300 under page 5-10.

Issue SQL server uses up my harddrive, templog.ldf is several Gb. Environment SQL Express 2005 Cause In SQL there are some system databases used by the server when administrating data within the server. If you run SQL server for several months without restart, templog.ldf will grow Resolution By adding growth restrictions for tempdb this will not be a problem. Most sites do not have these problems as updates, etc., usually force restarts of the computer.

Issue Which antivirus software is compatible with Niagara R2 and G3? Environment Niagara R2 Workplace Pro (all versions), Niagara G3 Workbench (all versions) Cause Antivirus software can block ports and services used by Niagara R2 and G3 Resolution By default, Niagara R2 software needs the following ports/services/applications "open", or unblocked: Port 80 (station communications & Web access) Port 3011 (Admin Tool) Niagara Service (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services) Files in the C:\ < niagara r2 release number > \nre\bin directory By default, Niagara G3 software needs the following ports/services/applications "open", or unblocked: Port 80 (Web access) Port 1911 (station communications) Port 3011 (Platform access) Niagara Service (Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services) Files in the C:\ < niagara g3 release number > \bin directory Various antivirus software products by default will block one or more of the above, and need to be configured to allow or "unblock" them.  Niagara R2 and G3 software will work with any antivirus program that allows unblocked communication to the above ports, services, and files.   NOTE: The specified ethernet ports must be open bidirectionally for both TCP and UDP traffic.

Issue Error importing I/NET sav file to XBuilder Environment XBuilder I/NET sav file import Cause There's a problem in how the DcuXml.exe and XBuilder handles the import of sav files. If the "home" folder of the Windows user you are logged in with has a ".", XBuilder will import the sav file to the I/NET folder alright, but will actually look for the sav file in the Files folder, so one folder back. Eg. Domain user: br Location of the copied sav file: C:\Documents and Settings\br\Local Settings\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET (For Win7 & Win Server 2008, it should be C:\Users\br\AppData\Local\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET. You need to turn on the Show hidden File option in Folder and search options under the Organize menu ) Where XBuilder looks for the sav file: C:\Documents and Settings\br\Local Settings\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET (For Win7 & Win Server 2008, it should be C:\Users\br\AppData\Local\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET) Local user: br Location of the copied sav file: C:\Documents and Settings\br.WSDKHER9562\Local Settings\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET (For Win7 & Win Server 2008, it should be C:\Users\br.WSDKHER9562\AppData\Local\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files\INET) Where XBuilder looks for the sav file: C:\Documents and Settings\br.WSDKHER9562\Local Settings\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files (For Win7 & Win Server 2008, it should be C:\Users\br.WSDKHER9562\AppData\Local\Temp\XBuilderPrj\PROJECTNAME\Files) Resolution XBuilder will generate an error, and the import.xml will be locked by the DcuXml.exe process, so you manually have to stop that. What you have to do is manually copy the sav file to the PROJECTNAME\Files directory before you import the I/NET network.

Issue Reassigning a USB Serial Adaptor to a desired COM port Reassigning a USB to DB-9 Adaptor to a desired COM Port Product Line TAC Vista Environment Windows OS Cause It is common for newer laptops to come without DB-9 serial connections. USB to DB-9 adaptors have to be used instead. When this USB device is installed, Windows will allocate the first COM port available in the system. In most cases, this will not be COM1, which is the default port designation for both Menta and the Download Wizard. If COM10 or greater is assigned, then it cannot be used with Menta for a direct download because Menta's COM port designation drop-down list only goes to COM9. Resolution Reassign the USB to DB-9 adaptor to the desired COM port: Right-click on My Computer and select "Manage" In the left pane of the Computer Management Console, select Device Manager. This will populate the right pane with system information. Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)." There will be a list of ports in use and which device is associated to the COM port. Look for the USB to Serial Bridge (COMx). If the USB to DB-9 adaptor is not assigned to the desired COM port, right-click on it and select "Properties." From the Port Settings tab, select "Advanced." In the Advanced Settings is a drop-down menu for assigning the COM port number to this device. Select the desired COM port. If it is noted that the COM port is "(in use)," find the device using that port Reassign that device to another open port. This will free up the desired COM port for the USB to DB-9 adaptor. Changing COM port may take some time for Windows to process and put into effect. Monitor "Ports (COM & LPT)" in the Computer Management Console. This will show the reassigned COM port when the operation has finished. *it is also possible to assign to a port in use which should move the previous device to another com, however this should be used as a last resort.

Issue In a Niagara R2 UNC-600 (or UNC-610), when using the Installation Wizard to review installed jar files, this error appears: "Cannot find distribution set platform matching the target installation platform (NT)" Environment Niagara R2 UNC-600 (or UNC-610) Installation Wizard Cause The UNC-600 and UNC-610 use jar files stored in the "nt" directory. This error appears if the "emb" directory is selected instead. Resolution The "emb" directory is used for embedded UNCs like the UNC-410 and UNC-5x0. Selecting the "nt" directory will prevent the error from appearing and allow continuation to the jar file summary review window.

Issue Two different revisions of I/NET 2.31 were created: 2218 and 2227. How do you know which one to use? Environment I/NET 2.31 Cause Inet 2.31 was released with two different builds 2218 and 2227. Resolution The latest build for I/NET 2.31 is the 2227 build. If a site is running the 2218 build, it is recommended to upgrade to the later build since many functions have been greatly improved. Log in to The Exchange Download Center to download I/NET v2.31.

Issue How can it be determined if a new Niagara G3 ENC or new Niagara R2 UNC has the new boot flash? Environment Niagara G3 ENC Niagara R2 UNC Cause Determine boot flash version. Resolution The best way to determine if the controller has the new or old boot flash is to compare the serial number on the printed circuit board with the numbers listed below: UNC New Boot Flash (requires 529) UNC-410:Serial number 36218 or greater, shipped 6/16/10 UNC-520:Serial number 36184 or greater, shipped 6/16/10 ENC New Boot Flash ENC-410:Serial number 263187 or greater, shipped 5/18/10 ENC-520:Serial number 263122 or greater, shipped 5/13/10 If the serial number was removed or is not legible, contact Product Support Services for assistance. There is additional information available that will assist in determining the new and old boot flash.

Issue Vista Webstation crops printouts when set to scale to fit on the page Environment Vista Webstation Internet Explorer Cause Automatic scaling, or scale to fit, is not properly sizing the print job. Resolution If you are not getting a complete printout of the trend log, or have portions of it cropped off at the edge of the page, scale the print size manually rather than using a scale to fit feature.

Issue Vista Server - "Comm port not configured" error message Environment Vista Workstation LonMaker Cause While reviewing the EMS if mouse over a point you get a "comm port not configured" error message and points appear offline. This isn't a Vista Server issue however its an LNS issue resulting in the lonmaker protocol not working correctly. Resolution Open LonMaker You should receive a "recovery - global" error message. Close LonMaker  Proceed to the following path on the clients computer. C:\Lm\Db\projectname\recovery Find the "objects.dat" file. This file should disappear when Vista and LonMaker aren't running. Shutdown Vista Server and LonMaker and see if the file disappears. If it doesn't then this file has been corrupted and needs to be deleted. Once you delete the file open LonMaker and verify the error message is gone. Once verified, start Vista Server and check communication and the "comm port not configured error message should be gone as well.

Issue In Niagara G3, how can an objects value be displayed in a graphic and not its status? Environment Niagara G3 Cause Default BoundLabel properties of the object are set to display the value and status. It must be adjusted to display only the value. Resolution In the BoundLabel properties of the object, the default text format is %.% This displays the value and the status of the object. To display just the object's value, edit the format to %out.value% The object will then display only the present value in the graphic.

Issue In Niagara G3, how can a Boolean object's "False" condition be made to disappear? Environment Niagara G3 Boolean Object Cause BoundLabel properties must be adjusted for the desired operation. Resolution In the BoundLabel properties of the object, right-click on the "visible" field, and choose "Animate" In the Animate window, click on the drop-down for the "Converter Type", and choose "I Boolean to Simple" Click the drop-down for the "False Value", and select "false" Click OK to close the Animate window Click OK to close the BoundLabel properties window Save the graphic Now, when the object has a value of "false," it will not be visible in the graphic.

Issue UI-4 Expansion module will not work with i2 controller. Points cannot be controlled. Environment UI-4 Expansion modules i2 Controller Cause The firmware of the controller is less than what is required. The compatibility matrix indicates that to use the ui-4 expansion module that the firmware must be at version 3.3x. Resolution Uprev the firmware to version 3.3x. Read through Technical Bulletin #1361 to ensure that the bootloader flash is at the correct version. 

Issue Error 5295  or invalid attribute when applying installing an xdriver Environment xdriver Cause Clicking apply prior to installing the driver will present the 5295 error. Resolution One of the following should resolve this: Make sure that you click "Apply" prior to checking the driver .  Do not map a drive to the server, place the driver on a local Cyber and do not place any spaces in the path. Ensure that the correct driver is being used.  Set the commport to xdriver, install the driver then apply. If you hit apply before you install the driver you will get the 5295 error

Issue Installation of a key on SQL server is not required Environment Continuum SQL Server Cause   Do I need a Continuum security key on my server? Resolution Installation of a key on SQL server is not required. For each Continuum workstation that accesses the database located on the server you will need a key for each Continuum workstation.