Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The following issues have been found to occur due to the Windows 7 User Account Control Settings: When starting I/NET, receive an error message indicating, "This is an unregistered version of I/NET.  Please contact TAC to register this copy of I/Net." DBCreate does not accept Windows Authentication login.  It only allows access to DBCreate using the SQL Server authentication login option. Login Issue with SevenReports (Crystal Reports)  Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Seven 2.4x Windows 7  Windows 10  Cause The User Account Control Settings appears to block access to these files required by the I/NET applications. Resolution Set the User Account Control Settings to "Never notify". Go to Windows Start Icon In the Search prompt, type in User Account - Select the option "Change User Account Control settings" from the Control Panel options shown below: The default setting is shown. Change this setting to "Never notify." You will be presented with the following confirmation - Select Yes Restart your PC Test the issue and re-install I/NET (a repair may be adequate) if the issue remains before contacting support.  This setting is only required to be done once for all users on the PC.

Issue What resources are available to get more information on the Modbus protocol? Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Building Operation,Field Devices,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC IA Series,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment Modbus ASCII/RTU Modbus TCP/IP Cause The Modbus protocol information is available on www.modbus.org Use the menu on the left and select Technical Resources. Select the Modbus Specifications. Resolution Found on www.modbus.org are the protocol specifications: Modbus ASCII/RTU Modbus TCP

Issue A newly installed program does not run and could be using a port on the host computer that's already assigned to another running program or service.  How can current port usage on the host computer be determined quickly? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell BAS & Sigma, TAC INET, TAC I/A Series, TAC Vista, Andover Continuum, CCTV, Field Devices Environment Microsoft Windows Cause A port conflict is suspected. Resolution Open a command prompt and type: netstat -a -n -p tcp -b This command will display all services running, protocol used, local and foreign address, state, and program name.   netstat -p tcp -ano This command will display all services running, protocol used, local and foreign address, state and PID (process identifier). Use Task Manager to match the PID to the program using the port. netstat -p tcp -ano | findstr :80 If a specific port number is necessary, this command will interrogate the system for the program currently using that port number:

Issue When launching a program or when working with a program, you get an error from "Microsoft .NET Framework".   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Windows .NET Framework Cause Microsoft .NET Framework is used in almost all larger applications, and there can be various reasons why you see an error. One reason can be application specific, meaning that there is an actual issue with the software and the way the software is using .NET Framework, but another reason can be that the .NET Framework installation itself is corrupted. If it's an application specific issue, you need to contact product support, but in many cases simply repairing the .NET Framework installation has proven to solve the issue. Resolution 1: Close all applications 2: Make sure you have the correct version of .NET Framework installed for the software you use referencing the product's data sheet. You can use this tool to check what versions you have. Here is a direct download link. 3: Install versions that might be missing. You can download the various versions from the tool linked above. 4: Download Microsoft's .NET Framework repair tool and run it applying all fixes the tool suggests. Here is a direct download link.

Issue What are termination (end of line) resistors and why use them? A LAN of any type has a node or two somewhere in the middle having problems but the rest seem stable Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Controller LAN 7808 Repeater Cause Termination resistors (also called clamping or end-of line resistors) are to be installed between lan+ and lan -, not to ground. Their purpose is to prevent the characteristic impedance of the wire from increasing to infinity at the end of the cable. Resolution Since most wire's characteristic impedance is between 80 and 150 ohms, use 100 to 120 ohms on an unbiased controller or host lan. This will "clamp" reflections from the end of the wire which are seen as noise by the controllers. If a 7808 repeater is used, it requires bias. Using 100 ohm termination resistors would kill that lan's communication; therefore, use 620 ohms instead. As cheap as resistors are and as easy as this installation is, they can only help. Typically they help more on a longer LAN, so anything longer than 1000 feet (about 300 meters) should definitely have terminations.

Issue Triggering a default value to internal AO points when the value is reset to 0 Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Event Sequence 0 Cause #A controller will run Event Sequence 0 any time one of these changes occurs: Power up Controller reset Database restore Internal AO point values will default to 0 (zero). If this AO point is used as a setpoint in a DDC loop, this could cause issues. Resolution Option 1 Use Event Sequence 0 to set internal setpoint values to a default value following power loss, reset, or restore. When connected to the controller, navigate to Edit > Controller > Event Sequences Click on Seq 0 and choose "Add." Sequence 0 is reserved to run on reset. Add an action Action: Output (or Output with lock) Delay: Defaults to 0 Point: AO that is used for the setpoint Skip/Value: Desired default setpoint value. Below is an example of what an Event Sequence 0 looks like of an Internal AO used as a setpoint. In this example anytime Event Sequence 0 runs, it will output a value of  75 degrees. Option 2 Open up Event Sequences. Add event 0 to the list. Event sequence number 0 runs at a power up, after a reset of controller power or a database restore of the DCU. Modify event sequence 0. Put every interanal "AO" setpoint in this event with a default value that is safe to operate at. 

Issue Configuration help for doors on a 1284, 7920, or 7910 Setting up Access Control on an SCU or DPU Can’t remember if Dip Switch 7 is up for the Card Number equals Individual Number without a MIP on the DPU or was that Card Translation Checked box the issue Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Access Control SCU 1284, DPU 7920, DPU 7910 Cause Configuration errors or failure to remember how to properly configure the door editor Resolution SCU 1284 Yes → Large Number Format Yes → In Door Editor, CHECK Using Card Translation     ↓No   ↓No             Card Number equals individual scheme Yes → In Door Editor, UNcheck Using Card Translation     7920 Yes → MIP Board Yes → Using Large Numbers Yes → In Door Editor, CHECK Using Card Translation ↓No   ↓No   ↓No             In Door Editor, UNcheck Using Card Translation         EPROM Yes → Large number format Yes → Dip Switch 7 on         ↓No             Card Number = Individual Number Yes → Dip Switch 7 off 7910 Yes → EPROM Yes → Large number format Yes → Dip Switch 7 on         ↓No             Card Number = Individual Number Yes → Dip Switch 7 off

Issue Device Template for trane Uc800 Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xbuilder Xenta Server MODBUS Cause Device Template Required Resolution Here is a MODBUS device Template for a TRANE UC800

Issue When only the MSDE version of I/NET Seven is installed there is no way to automatically backup the entire SQL Database at scheduled intervals. Product Line TAC INET Environment TAC I/NET Seven running on Windows XP using Microsoft MSDE SQL Server. Cause When only the MSDE version of I/NET Seven is installed there is no way to automatically backup the entire SQL Database at scheduled intervals. Resolution A batch file BackupInetDb.bat has been developed to allow users to create a Scheduled Task within Windows which launches the batch file with the appropriate command line switches. Click here to download the zip file which contains the BackupInetDb.bat and instructions on how to configure an automated backup.

Issue The Pelco Endura system with cameras at a location and integrating with the TAC I/NET Seven system. Product Line TAC INET Environment Check the system requirements for the version of TAC I/NET Seven and Pelco Endura  Cause Configuration requirements of the Pelco Endura and TAC I/NET Seven are specific for the functionality in I/NET. Resolution Once your Pelco Endura system is configured and the Workstation has discovered all the devices and the System Manager is online with the cameras correctly configured, there are four basic requirements to connect TAC I/NET. Cameras have to have a unique friendly name other than default. Cameras have to have a unique camera number. Netframework 3.5 has to be installed. Windows Media Player 11 has to be installed.   If using I/NET Seven Release 2.40a then the following applies: Once INET and the requirements above are installed the Endura Install can be run. The installer for these files is located on the INET CD in the folder: Support\EnduraSDK. Note: Endura video does NOT work on Windows Vista or Windows 7.   If using I/NET Seven Release 2.40 or above: Dual NIC support is now available. For Endura, 100GB NIC and Router are suggested. 1 for I/O Server, 1  for video   Equipment used: NSMS200 Pelco Endura Network System Manager & Network Video Manager SM5000 Pelco Endura System Manager WS5070 Pelco Endura Workstation with Advanced Management Software WS5000 Pelco Endura Work Station Software package NET5301T Pelco Endura Video Encoder Spectra IV Pelco Camera Visit Pelco.com for more information. Click here to view an extended compatibility matrix for Endura and I/NET.

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 Services for assistance. Issue Software installation problems with Windows 7 OS and above Configuration problems also known as UAC / User Account Control These problems occur when you receive an error message stating that you do not have the correct administrative rights to continue. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Windows 7 Windows 8 8.1 Windows 10 Server 2012 Cause Windows 7 and above user administrator privilege settings (UAC) Resolution The solution to this issue is to turn off the user admin settings before the software is installed by following these instructions: Go to Start > Control Panel. Set the view to "small icons" to show all Control Panel icons Click on "User Accounts." Make sure that the account used for installing the software is a full admin user. On this page, click on "Change User Account Control settings", a slider bar that starts with "Never notify" up to "Always notify" by default will be set to "Notify me only when programs try to make changes to my computer" Set it to "Never notify." This will disable all the admin blocks that pop up in installing and configuring software Once set, restart the PC and then continue with your software installation and configuration Once all is installed and working, the feature may be turned back on if required. Additional requirements for Windows server 2012 and Windows 10. Please note: this process may open the "Windows 10 Firewall up" For Windows Server 2012 and Windows 10, additional steps are required to disable User Account Control. Although the slider bar can be set to “Never Notify”, the User Account Control does not disable completely. The User Account Control can be disabled for any user by setting the system registry value “EnableLUA” to zero in the system registry under the registry key “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\system”. A Windows registration file has been included in the Continuum 2.01 release in order to expedite these additional steps. Or the attached file EnableLUA.zip can be used, unzip and execute.  Supplement: Using the right click "run as administrator" instead of this is not the same. The right click will only run that .exe as an administrator and not the whole install/configuration package, i.e. SQL2005 manager will fail to run if you do not do as instructed above. You will always get an error stating that you do not have permission to run this program.  Alternate Windows 10 Admin. to User privilege for I/Net Seven:   Go to this path: C:\Program Files (x86)\ Inet Seven 1) Rename and move to a new folder these files.       A) INetIoSrv.exe.manifest       B) INetW.exe.manifest       C) If there is a file equalization client, then there is INetEqzMerge.exe.manifest to do this change on as well.  2) Change the DbCreate by doing this:       Another problem for non-admin users will be logging into and using DbCreate. A work-around for that would be to create a new login into the SQL database that could be shared among all DbCreate users and would provide the necessary rights.       Alternate Windows 7 Admin to User privilege for I/Net Seven:  See the attached Document and Manifest Files  

Issue Need to mirror a switch port in order to capture controller data with Wireshark.   Product Line Access Expert, Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Expert, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment NETGEAR Prosafe Plus Switch Cause Need a step-by-step guide to set up a mirrored port and an understanding of how it works.  Resolution View the attached video.   Use the link to the original post in Area360 to get written instructions.

Issue Need the UL Listings for Xenta Product Line Product Line TAC IA Series, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Xenta Cause UL Listings for Xenta Product Line Resolution Go to Exchange Online and log in Search for "TAC Vista UL Listings" (Example, Click Here) You can find more information in Xenta Hardware UL 864 Listing.

Issue In some projects there is demand for importing a large number of individuals from an existing spreadsheet for individual information at one time. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Revision 2.xx and higher Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express Cause In some cases the customers have a spreadsheet or database of employees and/or users which they want to quickly import into their I/NET Seven Access control database. Resolution The whole process is to import the data from the excel file to the IDWorksView table of SQL database of I/NET. The steps below needs to be followed: Prepare the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express. Click here to down this tool for version 2005 free of charge. If for version 2008, click here to download. Then install this tool. Download the individual spreadsheet Excel template and SQL script here. Save to the C:\. Ensure that the Tenant, Group have been added in I/NET already. Also ensure that all the card numbers in the spreadsheet don't conflict the ones already in I/NET. Enter the individual information into this template. If there are photos for individuals, the folder of the photos also need to be entered. Open the Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express and connect to the database. Find the InetDb database, and open the SQL script just downloaded from the File menu. Click Execute to run the script. Then if without any problems, the successful result will be shown in the output message window. The next step is to get the imported data downloaded to the controllers. For each SLI perform a station SAV and station restore – it may take some time for all this information to be downloaded to the DPUs and may fail in some instances.  You may also notice the system slow up for some time (hours) until all of this information has been successfully downloaded to the controllers.  It may also be necessary to force the data into the DPU by performing staggered DPU Restores on specific doors that are experiencing incorrect functionality.  There is also a method that download the imported data without any operation in I/NET software by a function called Automatic DPU Restore. Refer to Automatic DPU Restore and Individuals added via Datacard ID Works are not getting access to doors for detailed information about how to set Automatic DPU Restore in I/NET. This is the method using SQL Server Management Studio Express. The Microsoft Access can also be used to do the importing work. Refer to How to import a large number of Individuals into an I/NET Access Control database for detailed information.

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 Services for assistance. Issue Want to be able to import a list of individuals quickly without having to retype all the details from a spreadsheet or text file again into I/NET Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Revision 2.xx and higher Microsoft Access 2003 Microsoft Access 2007 Cause Customers usually have a spreadsheet or database of employees and / or users which they want to quickly import into their I/NET Seven Access control database.  The process below describes how to do this along with its limitations. Resolution Process to import Individuals via the IDWorksView table using Microsoft Access 2003 / 2007 The import process will NOT update any existing data; it will only add new entries and leave existing entries as they were.  So this is typically a process used for a new installation.  If you are attempting to import into an existing Access control database with individuals then it is strongly recommended to backup your I/NET SQL database. It is also strongly recommended you test this in an ‘offline’ state, that is, it is not connected to any physical controllers until you are comfortable that the process provides the desired results. The same limitations that apply with ID Works (Refer to TCON 301 Chapter 5) apply to this import process. TAC I/NET Seven (not just I/O Server) must be running on the server specified in TAC I/NET Seven’s ODBC data source in order for records created or modified from ID Works to be downloaded to affected DPUs. ID Works does not allow you to add or modify multiple cards for a single individual. ID Works does not allow you to remove a card from an individual without deleting the individual record. You cannot disable an individual’s card without disabling the individual. You cannot create a new group or a new tenant.  All Tenant and Group information must already exist in I/NET You cannot make an individual’s record be DPU resident. You cannot assign a decimal card number to an individual. You cannot set an individual’s APB scheme (that is, hard, soft, or graced anti-pass back). You cannot assign a PIN to an individual. The steps to import are as follows: Download ZIP file containing necessary files here. If you are using Microsoft Access 2007 use the following files Format customer data into the Excel template (dbo_IdWorksView.xlt in the ZIP file) or provide this to the customer to complete the Employee details.  Pay attention to required data shown in the comments for each title cell. Open db1.mdb file in the ZIP file using Microsoft Access 2003 /  idworks.accdb if using Microsoft Access 2007. Double click (open) the table dbo_IdWorksView to establish the connection to I/NET on the respective machine.  You may be prompted for login details – you must use the ‘sa’ login and password installed on the PC. If successful you should see any individuals that already exist in the database (unless blank).  Close the table. If you are using Microsoft Access 2007 Click Here to view the changes for steps 6 though to 8. Right–click in any of the white space and select Import (or go to File>Get External Data>Import) Browse to the location of the Excel Spreadsheet, saved in step 2, containing the data to be imported.  Be sure to change the File Type to *.xls otherwise you will not find the file.  Select the file. Import wizard should appear, now select the following options within the import wizard: Select the Check box “First row contains column headings..” Select Next Select “In an Existing Table” and select the table from the drop down list – there should only be one there. dbo_IdWorksView. Select Next. Select Finish. Be patient – the process can take a few minutes based on the number of entries that you are trying to import.  Once imported you should receive a message indicating that the import was completed.  Select OK. If you have images referenced in your import file, be sure that the Images are in place before modifying ANY individual in I/NET.  Otherwise the image path will be deleted.  The next step is to get the imported data downloaded to the controllers. For each SLI perform a station SAV and station restore – it may take some time for all this information to be downloaded to the DPUs and may fail in some instances.  You may also notice the system slow up for some time (hours) until all of this information has been successfully downloaded to the controllers.  It may also be necessary to force the data into the DPU by performing staggered DPU Restores on specific doors that are experiencing incorrect functionality. There is also a way to realize this function using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express instead of Microsoft Access. See How to Import a Large Number of Individuals from Excel to I/NET SQL Database at One Time for more information. 

Issue Using a card reader to Unlock and Secure a Building Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 7798 Cause Site requests the ability to have a user card in at the beginning of the day locking the door and card out at the end of the day unlocking the building Resolution Create and AIC triggered from the card reader to start an event sequence as outlined in Using AIC to trigger an event sequence The AIC should trigger an event sequence (sequence1) Line 1 of sequence1 should be skip if 0, looking to see if the door is lock and skipping to sequence2 Line 2 of sequence1 should be skip if non-0, looking to see if the door is unlocked ad skipping to sequence3 Sequence 2 should unlock the door(s) Sequence 3 should lock the door(s) You may need to change the delays until you get an acceptable response. Ideally Line 1 of sequence 1 should be delayed long enough for the door to return to lock after the reader entry. As an option you could have sequence 1 check the status of the door. A badge read when the door is closed unlocks the door(s). A badge read when the door is open locks the door(s).

Issue Set up a two wire LTS80 Lini-Temp sensor on a 7756 PCU on the lower board Product Line TAC INET Environment LTS80 Lini-Temp temperature sensor 7756 PCU lower board Cause Lini-temp is a type of temperature sensor that is compatible with the I/NET product line. Resolution For Fahrenheit: M = 0.0274669 B = -459.8 10k ohm resistor in slot "A" Remember, the lower board has a different resolution than the upper board. See Set up a two wire LTS80 Lini-Temp sensor on a 7756 PCU on the upper board for details on the upper board. Refer to TCON 127: 7756 PCU Installation Guide for details

Issue Set up a two wire LTS80 Lini-Temp sensor on a 7756 PCU on the upper board Product Line TAC INET Environment LTS80 Lini-Temp temperature sensor 7756 PCU upper board Cause Lini-temp is a type of temperature sensor that is compatible with the I/NET product line. Resolution For Fahrenheit: m = 0.21978 b = -459.6 For Centigrade: m = 0.1221 b = -273.0 J22 to 15 VDC 10k ohm resistor in slot "A" Remember, the lower board has a different resolution than the upper board. See Set up a two wire LTS80 Lini-Temp sensor on a 7756 PCU on the lower board for details on the lower board. Refer to TCON 127: 7756 PCU Installation Guide for details

Issue When points show Old Data some processes may cause equipment to shut down. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Cause When a value is out of range in I/NET, any control referencing it will also be out of range.  For systems with communications issues this can be a problem for indirect points such as Outside Air Temp. DDC modules contain a Failsafe Output Control Point which can also over come this obstacle. Resolution Refer to What does it mean when a point goes "OLD" in I/NET? with information on how to prevent points from going "Old".  If the point continues to go old you can use this process to account for the old point: For this example assume that you are monitoring OAT with an indirect point Connect to the controller with the indirect point that is going old. (OAT) Create a duplicate of this point that is internal.  Call it "OAT_mirror" ensure that it has a relatively short scan interval Add a Calculation to OAT_mirror Use this expression: AV(P0,P1)   Set P0 as OAT Set P1 as OAT_mirror Click okay Change any control logic referencing OAT so that it references OAT_mirror Results: The AVG calc function will ignore any old value.  This means that while the OAT point is valid the OAT_mirror will quickly change to equal to it. When the OAT point goes old the OAT_mirror point will retain it's current value until the OAT point is no longer old. For information about triggering an alarm when a point goes old, view Triggering an alarm or message if a point goes old in I/NET For further Indirect Point "Old Data" Filtering Techniques read I/NET Indirect Point "Old Data" Filtering Techniques

Issue A modem is already connected to a remote site's tap. Settings in the modem need to be changed. Can this be done by dialing into the modem in its present configuration? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET remote site communicating via dialup modem Cause The remote site's modem needs to be connected to a PC or Laptop. Resolution No, a modem can not be configured by using its present configurations. Windows HyperTerminal is suggested to edit modem settings.  Refer to TCON 226 (Dial Applications) and TCON 101 (Taps and Repeaters). For emulated tap set up, refer to the appropriate Controller TCON. Issue A new SCU 1284 out of the box that you are setting up and it shows up with an * in Netcon. Product Line TAC INET Environment SCU 1284 Netcon Cause SCU's manufactured before 2009:  There is really nothing wrong with the SCU itself, but there may be an Eprom on the board that is not the correct one. It is the one that is used for the SCU 1280. Newer SCU's: This is generally caused by an incorrect setting in the MCU configuration Resolution Verify that you have the correct MCU configuration settings.  An SCU 1284 should be set to DPU.  An SCU 1280 or 1200 should be set to DIO.  Check Network configuration to see if the issue has cleared up. If it has not cleared up try the following: Delete the item from Network Configuration and allow it to repopulate. Ensure that the DIP switch is set to the correct address. Follow the instructions to reset the SCU located in Reset Instructions for 1200 Series SCU.  Then reload the bin file. If you are still having issues then the best option is to send that unit back and have it replaced with another.