Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The most typical use of the Provisioning service is to periodically back up ENC databases to the ENS.  The back up process works correctly but regardless of how the retention policy properties in the NiagaraNetworkJobPrototype are defined it will not remove the older back up files. Environment I/A Series (Niagara) all G3 releases Cause This is a known issue.  Software development is investigating the issue. Resolution Until the NiagaraNetworkJobPrototype retention policy functionality is repaired manual maintenance of back up files is required.

Issue Can badging be accomplished on a webclient PC Environment Continuum Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Customers have requested badging for webclient PCs Resolution Badging is not supported on the webclient PC. Repair will not enable this configuration. To resolve this, you will need a Cyberstation key with Epibuilder enabled for badging and a second PC with a webclient key

Issue How to force a download of card data Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Cause This is applicable any time a communication error has caused a badge to fail to download. The individual or group should have access to the door but AMT is showing denied entry tenant or deny entry schedule. Resolution Method 1 - Modify the Individual or Group Change the Type from Permanent to Temporary [Give a start date and time of yesterday and the end day several weeks in the future] Press OK until you see the I/NET splash screen Test the badge(s) Return the Individual/Group type back to Permanent Test the badge(s) Method 2 - Modify the Individual or Group Change the Type from Permanent to Temporary [Set the start date/time to 5 minutes in the future and the end date as several weeks in the future] Press OK until you see the I/NET splash screen Return the Individual/Group type back to Permanent Test the badge(s)

Issue When a UNC is rebooted, the startup fails with the following error being displayed in the Standard Output Window. "FATAL: Cannot boot station from sns java.util.zip.ZipException" Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 UNC (UNC-510, UNC-410, UNC-520) Cause Backup service filled the memory in the device.  This causes the automatic periodic backup of the RuntimeDB to improperly create its backup of the running station.  When the UNC is rebooted, the system discovers that its station config.sns file is corrupted.  When the operating system finds that the config.sys station file is corrupted, it looks for any station backup zip files.  The most current zip file is then unzipped. During the unzip process, the program determines that there is not enough memory to unzip the backup.  This causes the startup to fail with the ZipException error. Resolution Reload the latest good backup of the station using the Admin Tool then edit the station to remove the Backup Service.  Reloading the station using the Admin Tool Install Station function will cause the memory in the UNC to be cleared before the station is loaded. 

Issue In Niagara R2, UNC will not archive to Enterprise Server. The following errors are being displayed in the Enterprise Server’s Standard Output Window: ERROR: LogService.archive: java.lang.IllegalStateException: Database not connected! java.lang.IllegalStateException: Database not connected! at tridium.services.DatabaseService.checkConnected(DatabaseService.java:389) at tridium.services.DatabaseService.getConnected(DatabaseService.java:363) at tridium.services.logService.archivelocal(LogService.java:13) at tridium.log.service.RemoteArchiveHandler.handlerArchiveLog(RemoteArchiveHandler.java:95) at tridium.log.service.RemoteArchiveHandler.handlerAaction(RemoteArchiveHandler.java:68) at tridium.datax.net.DxExchange.doRequest(DxExchange.java:314) at tridium.datax.net.DxExchange.Run(DxExchange.java:274) at tridium.datax.net.DxServer.doGet(DxServer.java:80) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:499) at javax.servlet.http.HttpServlet.service(HttpServlet.java:588) at tridium.foundation.net.TServiceThread.run(TServiceThread.java:195) Also see the following in message in the Standard Output Widow of the UNC: tridium.datax.net.DxRemoteException: java.lang.IllagelStateException: Database not connected! at tridium.datax.net.DxExchange.doResponse (bytecode 107) at tridium.datax.net.DxExchange.run (bytecode 118) at java.lang.Thread.run (line5) Environment Enterprise Service (all versions) Cause The Enterprise Server’s Cloudscape database is corrupt. Resolution We can attempt to recover the database first. If it can not be recovered, it must be deleted or renamed. Steps to recover the database app folder: Stop the Enterprise Server’s station database and open the Niagara console. At the prompt, type in the follow: dbadmin "station name" recover. This will attempt to recover the database located in the station's app folder. Once complete, restart the station and check to see if you can successfully connect. If this does not work, the database cannot be recovered and will have to be removed and / or deleted. Steps to delete the cloudscape database app folder : Stop the station database Locate the app folder under the station folder, and delete the app folder or rename it with ".old" suffix Restart the station. The Cloudscape (app folder with file structure) will be automatically re-created. The database should now show "is connected."

Issue Want to communicate directly to an Enterprise Server via BACnet. What need to be added / purchased for the Enterprise Server? Environment Niagara R2, (all versions), Enterprise Server Cause Part numbers IA-DRV-OSD and IA-BAC-500 will need to be purchased to allow direct BACnet communication to an Enterprise Server. Part number IA-DRV-OSD provides support for 25 points each of OPC, BACnet, Modbus and SNMP. Additional point blocks of each type can be purchased to add 500 points increments. Additional BACnet points will require the purchase of the part number IA-BAC-500.   Resolution Part numbers IA-DRV-OSD and IA-BAC-500 will need to be purchased to allow direct BACnet communication to an Enterprise Server. Part number IA-DRV-OSD provides support for 25 points each of OPC, BACnet, Modbus and SNMP. Additional point blocks of each type can be purchased to add 500 points increments. Additional BACnet points will require the purchase of the part number IA-BAC-500  

Issue Can I use one alternative schedule in TAC Vista Workstation over several days? Environment Vista Workstation Cause When you set a Range, From 2011-11-30 to 2011-12-01 and a start time 23:58 and stop 00:02 it will actually start 23:58 and stop 00:02 every day in the range 2011-11-30 to 2011-12-01. So it will actually start 23:58 both 2011-11-30 and 2011-12-01.   Resolution Create one alternative timechart for each day.

Issue How can the Microsmart Service in a Niagara R2 UNC be optimized for better performance? Environment Niagara R2 Microsmart Service Cause Slow / sluggish performance Resolution Keep the Poll Always count at the recommended level of 250. Observe the averageExecuteTime from the service's Poll - Status tab and increase the cycleTime (Poll - Config tab) to match plus one second.  This prevents poll overruns. For every Microsmart point shadow object, the setting minimumPollInterval should be reviewed and increased where possible from the default of 1000 ms.  For example, a shadow object displaying a space temperature can have its minimum poll interval increased anywhere from 30000 to 60000 ms. 

Issue Is there a way to change the date and time on a Niagara R2 UNC via a web browser? Typically this may be required where a standalone UNC with WEB-UI has been installed and the end user has no access to Workplace Pro since no Enterprise Server is used in this configuration. Environment Niagara (versions 428 or later), UNC-410, UNC-510, UNC-520 Cause Standalone UNC Resolution The webtime.jar file and webtime.html file were produced to provide the functionality to change the date and time, via a browser, for an UNC running I/A Series release R2.301.428 and later. The webtime.zip, which contains both the webtime.jar file and webtime.html file along with the AT05-03 Technical Service Bulletin, can be downloaded from the Exchange Download Center.  Click on the webtime.zip link to download the needed files.  The webtime.zip file can also be located by entering “webtime” in the search window of the Exchange Download Center. Follow the instructions listed in document AT05-03 on how to install and use the webtime applet.

Issue Do we need to purchase the BACnet MS/TP driver for an I/A Series G3 ENC-520? Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-520 / ENC-520-2-N Cause There is a need to integrate to BACnet MS/TP devices from an I/A Series G3 ENC-520. Resolution BACnet IP, BACnet Ethernet, BACnet MS/TP and LonWorks features are included as standard in the license of an I/A Series G3 ENC-520 / ENC-520-2-N. No additional purchase(s) is required for BACnet MS/TP. There can be some confusion on this because the BACnet MS/TP driver is purchased and licensed separately for an I/A Series R2 UNC-520.

Issue S-132-UPKIT What is in a 132 upgrade kit? Environment Sigma BAS UNC132 UNC632 132 632 Cause What is in a S-132-UPKIT? Resolution 1 off 632 processor board ARM7 2 off side panels (L/H & R/H) 1 off front panel.

Issue A third party BACnet device does not support segmented messages but the bCX4040 does. Can the two devices communicate? Environment Continuum BACnet MS/TP MSTP bCX Cause A third party boiler BACnet MS/TP interface card is having difficulty communicating with a bCX4040. The manufacturer of the interface card has commented that the Continuum bCX uses segmented packets and the Bacnet interface card cannot communicate with a segmented packet delivery system.  Are these devices incompatible? Resolution The problem should not be related to message segmentation. This is because the bCX will try to send a segmented message and the third party device should send a response to the bCX indicating that segmentation is not supported. The BCX will then send only non-segmented messages to the device. So, the bCX supports message segmentation but can do both segmented and non-segmented messages on the same MS/TP bus.  Get an MS/TP capture with both devices on the wire while doing a Find BACnet Devices request from CyberStation and send to Product Support for review.

Issue Updating firmware from StruxureWare Building Operation and the still be usable with other BMS such as Continuum, I/A Series, I/NET, Sigma, and Vista Environment Site with more than one Building Management System  Cause Implications of updating firmware on a controller from the StruxureWare Building Operation side and still compatible with existing Resolution For the controllers available on the StruxureWare Building Operation network that have been configured, take precaution when updating the firmware and still expect compatibility with other systems. For example, at a Continuum site, with a b3 and the option to update of firmware from StruxureWare Building Operation, there are a couple of things to keep in mind. When selecting the b3, and the Update Firmware, it will ask you for the *.udp file. This can be downloaded from the extranet. The thing to keep in mind here is if you are using this controller in conjunction with Continuum, then pay particular attention to the Compatibility Matrix and the firmware which is compatible with the version of Continuum you are running. Updating a firmware that is not in line with the version of Continuum will create problems for the site. So when selecting the firmware *.udp, be sure of which firmware file you are selecting. The operating system in the b3 controller is no different between StruxureWare Building Operation and Continuum. The PE code may be different though, so he should be able to learn these controllers into Continuum as long as they have their user memory cleared out.  

Issue When a personnel object is created and Continuum launches the Personnel Manager, when the First Name, Last Name and Site Code is entered and the changes are applied, Continuum throws the following errors. Error Saving Data -- Unable to find an object in the database.Root\Card Access\... The personnel object was not created.   Environment Continuum CyberStation Personnel Manager Cause Illegal Characters in folder name Resolution Removed "&" and "/" from folder names. 

Issue Default values are desired in an I/O Module. Environment Xenta I/O Modules Cause Default values have been modified in an I/O Module. Resolution If you press the Service Pin for seven seconds during the first minute following a restart, the parameters of the module will automatically be reset to the factory default settings. A restart occurs following power on. The green LED on the front will light continuously during activation (about 7 seconds) and when the reset is completed, it will flash rapidly (off-line indication). The parameters of the I/O module are now reset: Domain table index 0: ID len = 1, ID = 11hex, Subnet = 1, Node = 1 and Clone Domain = 0 (internal parameter making the unit silent, until its correct address has been set by the system). Domain table index 1: Unused. Address table index 0: Domain = 0, Node = 0, Rpt Tmr = 16, Retries = 0, Rcv Tmr = 128, Tx Tmr = 16, Subnet = 0. Address table index 1: Unused. Non_Group_Receive_Timer = 768 ms. Node Mode: Unconfig. Network Management Authentication = Off Pre-emption Timeout = Forever The inputs will be configured as voltage inputs.

Issue Upgrading computer to a newer version of the WorkPlace Tech Tool and need to tell customer how to upgrade his existing files. Environment Application drawings created in WPT 3.2 or earlier WPT 5.8 is now installed. Cause An internal change was made to the WorkPlace Tech Tool drawing format in WPT 3.2sp1.  Drawings must be in the format created by this version before they can be automatically be upgraded to a newer version. Resolution NOTE: DO NOT INSTALL WORKPLACE TECH 3.2 ON A COMPUTER THAT ALREADY HAS AN NEWER INSTALLATION OF THE WORKPLACE TECH TOOL SOFTWARE INSTALLED.  If this is the case, a different computer must be used for the conversion. Follow the directions in the "WorkPlace Tech Tool Version 3.2 Service Pack 1 Installation Instructions. This document along with the WPT32.exe  and WPT32sp1_Lite.exe software can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Center. Although the installation instructions document states that WPT32 runs only on Windows 2000, it will also run properly on Windows XP.  Visio 2000sp1 is required for WorkPlace Tech 3.2. The procedure for converting the application file is as follows. You may either copy the entire project folder from the existing version of WPT into the 3.2sp1 projects folder or create a new project under WPT32.sp1.  After creating the new project copy the applications to be converted into that project folder and add them to the project. Open the application to be converted using WPT2.3sp1, allow any processing to occur then compile the application. If any errors occur when processing or compiling, the errors must be corrected before continuing.  If the existing version of the application nearly or completely fills the controller there is a slight chance that the upgraded application may not fit in the controller. After correcting any errors and successfully compiling the application, make sure that the application drawing file has been saved.  The converted application file may now be copied to and added to a project in the WorkPlace Tech Tool release 5.x.x.

Issue Double clicking the BACnetNetwork used to open the BACnet Device Manager now it opens a BCP Device Manager that looks just like the BACnet Device Manager?  What is the BCP Device Manager? Environment I/A Series (Niagara) G3 Cause Installing Distech software to support their devices will result in the BCP Device Manager being installed for the BACnetNetwork. Resolution This is not an issue, just be sure to select the correct Device Manager for the devices you plan to work with.

Issue Can I/A Series R2 WorkPlace Pro Alarm Console and G3 Alarm Portal operate simultaneously on the same computer? Environment I/A Series R2 Alarm Console, I/A Series R2 Alarm Portal Cause The computer should not be running a station for either R2 or G3.  WP Pro and Workbench (acting as alarm console and alarm portal) does not require the Niagara service. Resolution The computer should not be running a station for either R2 or G3.  WP Pro and Workbench (acting as alarm console and alarm portal) does not require the Niagara service.  Verify the Niagara services (daemons) are stopped and prevented from auto-starting upon a reboot of the computer.  Verify the appropriate ports used by the R2 WorkPlace Pro Alarm Console (default port 80) and G3 Alarm Portal (default port 1911) are open for use by the applications.

Issue There seems to be no way to delete the photo in a personnel object. Environment CyberStation Cause Keep the personnel object and delete the photos in the personnel object. Resolution There is no way to delete the photo once it has been captured into the personnel object, a workaround is to create a blank image using an application such as Windows Paint for example and then change the personnel’s photo to the blank image.

Issue Is it possible to email a temperature value twice a day to someone via Continuum? Environment SendEmail ACX2 NC2 bCX Cause A customer would like to get an email twice a day on a critical temperature in a lab. Emailing alarms is already done via CyberStation and Outlook. Can this be done, too? Resolution Yes, it can be done. And if you want it to NOT be emailed as an alarm, a good way to do it is to set up a bCX/ACX2/NC2 to be able to send email. Then write a Plain English program that uses the SendEmail function. You will need to write the temperature value to a string point. You can trigger the program to run twice a day. The syntax for the function is: SendEmail (to_string, subject_string, message_string, cc_string, bcc_string, signature_string)   See the CyberStation online help and search for SendEmail for more information.