Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Controller buffering the access events as seen by the increment in the AccessLog system variables, the events stay in the controller's buffer and are not sent to Cyberstation. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation CX9702 CX9900, CX9940 CX9680 ACX5740, ACX5720 Cause The most common cause of this problem is that the controller does not know who the primary/secondary access server is. Resolution Make sure a Cyberstation has been designated as primary access server (and a second one as secondary if applicable). Perform a teach on the primary/secondary access servers.

Issue Continuum Add-On Reports will not launch Environment Continuum Continuum Add-On Report Suite Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The reports may not launch because of configuration issues or because the Workstation Instance in the database is corrupt. Resolution Ensure that Continuum Reports is installed in Add/Remove programs Check that the Programs are listed under the workstation after importing the Continuum_Reports.dmp file and that they contain the reports programming code. If they are empty, re-import or cut and paste the code from the dmp file and correct errors. Check that the programs are enabled, if not enable the report and try again. Test the report from the command line instead of launching from a button (Ex. Run Reports_Suite). The second to last line is a Shell command, check that the Reports.exe 0 ( the number represents each report) has a unique number. Reports_Suite=0, Alarms_Report=2. A duplicated number may not run correctly. As a last test, create a new program called TestCalc with the following one line of code: Shell "C:\Windows\System32\Calc.exe" Fall Thru, AutoStart=False Run TestCalc from the command line and the Windows Calculator should show. Usually if you are at this point, it will not start. If that is the case do the following to correct this. Get a database backup Go offline Edit Export everything under the Cyberstation to a text (dmp) file and verify it's contents. Delete the Cyberstation and it's folder  Exit Cyber (You will get an error that it cannot find the object in the database - click OK) Open Database Initialization and select Workstation and re-initialize the WS Create TestCalc as mentioned above and verify that Calculator opens (It should) Go offline edit and import the .dmp file that had been created for this Workstation and verify all is working. Note: If this is on a 64 bit system, the path may need to be changed. reset_password.bat  However, if you did not install Continuum Reports in the default directory, you must edit the Reset_Password.bat file and include the DOS installation path after “password” in the run string.  ie: reports reset password D:\Reports

Issue I/NET Reference Host Suggested Configuration Environment I/NET NPR Xenta 527-NPR Xenta 527 Xenta 913 Xenta 731 Cause There are many opinions about the correct use of Reference Hosts.  This is a suggested use which will be successful for most sites. Resolution  From TCON 298 A Reference Host is any TAC I/NET workstation, NPR, or Xenta 527/527-NPR that will serve as a source of IP addresses. Any of these devices attached to an Ethernet LAN can be used as a Reference Host.  Each time I/O Server is started on a workstation, it provides the workstation’s IP address to each remote host designated as a Reference Host. I/O Server also requests and receives a list of all host IP addresses that are known to the remote host at that time. I/O Server must be running on the remote host for this address exchange to occur. I/O Server compiles and maintains a list of all the remote hosts that it learns about. Ultimately, all hosts in the network will know the IP addresses of all the other hosts.  Ideally, you should determine 1 or at most 2 devices to serve as your Reference Host.  This device would ideally be a Xenta Server or an NPR, but a Host workstation that has I/O Server running 100% of the time will work as well.   All devices on the system will use this as a single Reference Host. No others are needed.  When the device comes online it will contact the Reference Host and get the site’s Routing Table.  The Reference Host can have an empty routing table.  Once the Routing Table is shared, Reference Hosts are no longer needed.  You can leave the single entry in place. This will allow a quick recover, in the event of a critical system failure.  Here are a few reasons for using multiple Reference Hosts: Temporarily add a new device as a Reference Host on the Sites Reference Host or a workstation to aid in bringing it online A large site may desire to have 2 Reference Hosts in case one is offline when a device comes online. An  I/NET site that spans multiple locations may wish to declare a local Reference Host for each building and a network Reference Host

Issue NetController or ACX57xx system variable called SystemStatus is toggling between Normal and NoComm.  This may happen as often as every minute. This can be seen in a system variable listview or access event view displaying a door on that controller. Environment CyberStation ACX57xx CX99xx CX9680 Cause Controller cannot communicate with either the primary or secondary access server workstations. Resolution Perform a teach from the primary access server workstation.

Issue SNVT_str_asc (ASCII string) is being brought into/sent out of Menta. SNVT output for "location" required by job specs. What are the capabilities for handling ASCII strings in Menta? Environment Menta 5 SNVT_str_asc Cause Menta does not have a very robust ASCII string handling, but it can be done. Resolution Menta can use special modes on the PIDI block to encode/decode ASCII characters into decimal character values. Macro libraries exist to perform these actions: Right click in the white space in Menta and select "Load Macro..." Navigate to Macro Block Library > Miscellaneous > SNVT Load str_asc_OUT2.AUT for an example of outputting a SNVT_str_asc Load str_asc_IN343.AUT for an example of inputting a SNVT_str_asc Different string handling applications are available: Str_asc_IN3.AUT Str_asc_IN248.AUT Str_asc_INtext.AUT Str_asc_OUT2.AUT Str_asc_to_str_int.AUT Str_int_IN_OUT1.AUT Str_int_IN343.AUT Str_int_OUT2.AUT Str_int_to_str_asc.AUT

Issue An error pops up when editing a point in Video Administrator "The user currently logged on does not have edit rights for this object". Environment Continuum Video Administrator Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is an issue in earlier versions of Continuum 1.90/191 when using Video administrator that if an object was deleted from the controller and video admin is left open, you will receive the error.  Resolution Upgrade to version 1.92 or greater which corrects this issue Create another point or delete the original and recreate it.

Issue Badge layout (.dgn file) is set for landscape orientation. Print preview looks good. Attempt to print  a badge on a MagiCard Rio 2E. Badge prints with portrait orientation. Environment CyberStation MagiCard Rio Cause Magicard Rio driver properties has a selection for "Application Determines Orientation". If this printer properties setting is selected and the printer properties orientation setting does not match the application orientation setting (Continuum Make/Edit Badge, i.e. EPIDesigner ), the printout may not be what is desired.  Resolution Check the Magicard Rio driver properties setting for "Application Determines Orientation". Make sure, if this printer properties setting is selected, that the printer properties orientation setting matches the application orientation setting in EPIDesigner. 

Issue Running I/O Server as a service and an error 1075: The dependency service does not exist or has been marked for deletion pops up. Environment Running I/Net as a Host Tool under TAC Vista and wanting to configure I/O Server to run as a service. Cause I/O Server requires that MSSQL be tied to the dependencies of the service and when it is not listed, it will generate that error. Resolution When this error comes up, there are several things that needs to be checked to verify that it is set and connecting to the correct database in I/NET: Right Click on My Computer and go to Manage. Select Services and Applications, expand that and select Services. Select I/O Server, Right Click and select Properties then click on Dependencies. MSSQL should be listed in there and more than likely it is not and has to be added. To add it, go to run and type regedit, go to [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\INet7IoSrv] DependOnService – add the SQL instance (for example MSSQL$TACVISTA) and the TAC Vista Server (TACOS). This multi string value should list:RPCSS,TACOS, MSSQL$TACVISTA Restart the PC and it I/O Server should be running as a service now.

Issue Who do I contact to repair or upgrade or get an advanced replacement for Continuum products in the Americas? Environment All Continuum controllers and CyberStation. Cause Need to repair, upgrade or get an advanced replacement of Continuum products. Resolution Email: tacus.wlcrepair@schneider-electric.com Fax: (978) 975-9435 Phone: (978) 975-9600

Issue Change the path of acctrace .csv file Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There are permission restrictions to the Continuum folder or there is a need to change the path to the acctrace .csv output file. Resolution If permissions are restricted to Continuum, you can change the path to this file. A good troubleshooting step is to send the file to c:\temp When starting acctrace there is a field called "Filename for trace output:" To change the path for the .csv file add the path in the field called "Filename for trace output:" Ex. C:\Temp\ACCTrace_datetime.csv   (leave the actual datetime that the program creates and only add the path C:\Temp ahead of the filename) * On a Windows7 PC, the User Account Control changes the default path where files are created by ACCTrace. If Continuum is installed on the C drive, look in the following path for the trace file that is created: c:\users\username\appdata\local\virtualstore\program files\continuum

Issue PE program will not compile, due to the following error: Syntax error, unexpected token 'xxxxx' Environment Cyberstation All Andover Continuum controllers Cause Program is using one or more reserved keywords Resolution Remove reserved keywords from program's code. See Andover Plain English Language Reference Guide appendix B for a list of reserved keywords.

Issue Existing NL220 license is not working correctly. Environment Vista NL220 Engenuity Newron Systems Cause License is preventing proper execution of the software. Resolution All licensing errors should be resolved via Newron Systems Americas distributor, Engenuity at the following contacts:   Phone: 480-782-5600   2165 W. PECOS RD. STE. 1 Fax: 480-782-5601   CHANDLER,  AZ Toll free: 800-375-3363   85224 Email: info@engenuity.com

Issue In a Niagara G3 station, the BACnet Service indicates "routing enabled = false", even though it had been set = true. What caused the change? Environment Niagara G3 station in an ENC with BACnet / IP enabled Cause The ENC has detected a routing loop and automatically stops routing BACnet / IP messages, and sets the "Routing Enabled" flag = false. Resolution This can be caused by having two or more devices routing to the same network number.  Network numbers must be unique throughout the entire BACnet network.    Locate and remove the cause of the routing loop, which is more than one path to a BACnet device.   Procedure Details: Open platform director Watch output for network number error.   (e.g. Bacnet Network Misconfiguration detected(3): Network number update frequency indicates possible router loop on network 20!!!)  Check BACnet devices with Routing enable and make sure all networks have a unique network ID. 

Issue Customer requires SNMP disabled on CX9702. There is no flash file on the Extranet for it. Environment CX9702 Cause Customer requires SNMP disabled on CX9702. There is no flash file on the Extranet for it. Resolution Contact Product Support Services - there is a flash file available.

Issue After upgrading the Continuum workstation software, cannot edit workstation programs Environment Continuum Cyberstation Workstation programs Plain English Cause Not able to edit workstation programs. Firing order is edit locked. Resolution To resolve open up the Continuum Commandline program and type in "Firingorder editlock=false" This will unlock the firing order and programs will be able to be edited. In the simple case of editlock where a program may have been editlocked which is different than firing order editlocked. Simply select the program in question and press Ctrl+U or access the properties of the program by right click and select the CurrentStatus tab and press the "Force Object to unlock" button.

Issue Is there a way to display only points currently in alarm in the Alarm Console? Environment G3, Workbench (all versions) Cause Only want to display points currently in alarm in the Alarm Console? Resolution Yes, the Alarm Console’s filter is used to control what alarms are displayed in the Alarm Console window.      Double-click on the ConsoleRecipient object Click on Filter at bottom of window Check the Source State box. Click on the Source State chevron to show filter options Select the alarms states, Offnormal and Fault. Only alarms currently in the Offnormal and Fault states will be displayed in the alarm console window.  (Items not checked will not be displayed.)  Click OK and OK to save.  Click File from the menu and Refresh to update change. Only alarms that are currently in a Fault or a Offnormal state will be displayed in the Alarm Console window.

Issue When upgrading Vista Workstation to version 5.1.6, each Xenta Servers' properties should be set to XBuilder version 5.1.6. Then by right-clicking and selecting "Edit," that project will be opened and upgraded. However, if another projects network has been browsed in, it will ask you to please upgrade that project before continuing. If two Xenta Servers are each browsed into each other's networks, then it will not allow you to upgrade either of them. In previous versions, this was allowed, but with changes to 5.1.6 it is not possible to bypass this warning. Environment Vista Workstation 5.1.6 and above Xenta Server Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause All Xenta Servers passing data between each other should be the same version. In the past, this fact was made optional, but with the release of 5.1.6 a check on the source file requires that they match. Resolution This requirement is only true of true Xenta Servers in a Vista system. Stand-alone XBuilder projects do not have this same check. To bypass the warning: Go to Start > Programs > Schneider Electric > TAC Tools 5.1.6 > XBuilder This will open XBuilder 5.1.6 in a stand alone mode (not from Vista Workstation) Go to File > Open Project and browse to the first Xenta Server's XBuilder project file folder and double click the .xbp515 project file The XBuilder project will be upgraded to 5.1.6. The other project's network will still be 5.1.5, but this is allowed in the stand alone mode. File > Save will save the .xbp516 file to the hard drive. Go back to Vista Workstation, right click and edit the second Xenta Server's XBuilder project and it will not upgrade and can be saved to the Vista database and to the hard drive. The first Xenta Server can now also be upgraded.

Issue XBuilder allows for the target type to be changed via the Project menu > Change Target Type. This will change all references in the project if changing from a Xenta 527 to a Xenta 731, for example. Sometimes this menu item is not available and appears grayed out. Environment XBuilder Vista Classic Network Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause When a Xenta controller is used as a Xenta Server in a Vista classic network, there are references in XBuilder to the Vista database that will prevent the target type from being altered. Resolution Save a copy of the database XBuilder project to the hard drive.  File > Save As... Open XBuilder in a "stand alone mode" (Start > All Programs > Schneider Electric > TAC Tools 5.1.X > XBuilder) Open the project from the hard drive Select Project > Change Target Type. This option should now be available. Change target to the desired type and send to target. Note: The device in the Vista database has not been updated by this process. If the Xenta Server needs to change types, this must be done in Vista Workstation. Create a new Xenta Server and then use the XBuilder menu Vista Database > Save As... to reassociate the XBuilder project with the database object.

Issue Is part number 40-1758, end of line resistor, still available for purchase through Schneider Electric?   Environment Network 8000, IA Series BACnet Controller Cause Part is no longer available for purchase through Schneider Electric Resolution Part number (40-1758) specified for the 120 ohm EOL (end-of-line) termination resistor is no longer available for purchase through Schneider Electric.  The resistor is utilized for RS-485 communications trunks (e.g. Network 8000, BACnet, etc.).  This resistor is a common part and is readily available for purchase through electronic stores or catalogs.    The specification for the resistor is as follows: Nominal value: 120 ohm Tolerance: +/- 5% or better Power rating: 1/4watt metal film Temperature coefficient: +/- 200 PPM or better Maximum voltage: 250 volts

Issue Logging into Vista Workstation results in error: "Can not connect to TAC Vista Server, No such interface supported" Environment Vista Cause Some connection between the Vista Server and the LNS Server has been broken. This is because of some change to the PC configuration: virus scan, Windows updates. You have installed a component of a different version. Resolution Uninstall TAC Vista, system plug-in etc. Delete any TAC Shared folder in the \\Program Files\Common Files catalog Reinstall Vista