Issue What is Domain Name Service (DNS)? Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Access Expert,EcoStruxure Building Expert,EcoStruxure Building Operation,EcoStruxure Security Expert,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC IA Series,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment TCP/IP Networks Cause DNS is a distributed hierarchical system for resolving host names into IP address. Under DNS, there is no central database with all of the Internet host information. The information is distributed among thousands of name servers organized into a hierarchy similar to the UNIX file system. DNS has a root domain at the top of the domain hierarchy that is served by a group of name servers called the root servers. Source: TCP/IP Network Administration by Craig Hunt, O’Reilly & Associates, Inc. Resolution Short for Domain Name System (or Service or Server), an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet however, is really based on IP addresses. Every time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address. For example, the domain name www.example.com might translate to 198.105.232.4. The DNS system is, in fact, its own network. If one DNS server doesn't know how to translate a particular domain name, it asks another one, and so on, until the correct IP address is returned.  

Issue Trying to open TGML Graphics Editor and an error appears before the editor crashes.  Crash report shown below: Font 'Arial' does not support style 'Regular'. ArgumentException at System.Drawing.Font.CreateNativeFont() at System.Drawing.Font.Initialize(FontFamily family, Single emSize, FontStyle style, GraphicsUnit unit, Byte gdiCharSet, Boolean gdiVerticalFont) at System.Drawing.Font..ctor(FontFamily family, Single emSize, FontStyle style, GraphicsUnit unit) at SE.Graphics.Viewer.Windows.GDIPlus.RenderText..ctor(Double left, Double top, String textContent, Double fontSize, String fontFamily, Int32 fontStyle, Int32 fontWeight, Int32 horizontalAlign, Int32 verticalAlign, Int32 textDecoration) at SE.Graphics.Viewer.Windows.GDIPlus.DrawingFactory.createText(Double left, Double top, String textContent, Double fontSize, String fontFamily, Int32 fontStyle, Int32 fontWeight, Int32 horizontalAlign, Int32 verticalAlign, Int32 textDecoration) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlText.getUncachedShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlStrokeShape.getShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlTextShape.getShape() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlStrokeShape.getUncachedBoundingBox() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.getBoundingBox() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.HandleAfterBoundingBoxChanged() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.OnAfterBoundingBoxChanged() at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.OnChildElementChanged(Node element, ChangeType changeType) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TgmlInheritedElement.FireChildElementChanged(Node element, ChangeType changeType) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TgmlInheritedElement.insertBefore(Node newChild, Node refChild) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.NodeImpl.appendChild(Node newChild) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ParentNode.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ElementImpl.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ParentNode.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.dom.ElementImpl.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at SE.Graphics.DOM.TGML.TgmlShape.cloneNode(Boolean deep) at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.GraphicsComponent.ExtractContent() at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.ComponentStencilItem.LoadItem(String file, String imageFile, String& description, Image& image) at TAC.Graphics.Editor.Core.FileStencilItem.Load(String file) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation TAC Vista Environment TGML Graphics Editor Multiple installations of Microsoft Office Cause If a PC comes with Microsoft Office 2010 (which is not currently compatible with Vista) and additional versions of Excel 2007 are installed, for example, it could remove or corrupt the installation of certain fonts. Resolution Obtain a fresh copy of the font .TTF file.  In this example, Arial.ttf. Install the font by dragging and dropping the .TTF file into C:\Windows\Fonts directory.

Issue Is it possible to see which user that have disabled an alarm? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation Cause It is possible to see from the "show history" view for a disabled alarm. Resolution Open the disabled alarm view. Right click on the disabled alarm and choose "Show history". Right click on the columns field and add a column called "User name" in that column you can see which user that disabled the alarm.

Issue When using CIDR (Classless Inter Domain Routing) or Supernetting it is not always obvious what range of IP addresses can be used. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Device Administrator Building Commissioning Tool Cause When subnet masks with values other than 255 are used it is not always obvious what is the range of valid IP addresses allowed.  There is a need for an easy way to determine the range of valid IP addresses for the Subnet Mask being used. Resolution The IP address range can be calculated mathematically but the simplest method is to use a subnet calculator.  The website links below are both examples that will calculate the range of valid addresses for any specified subnet value.   http://www.subnet-calculator.com/cidr.php https://www.calculator.net/ip-subnet-calculator.html   Visit either of the websites for a CIDR / Supernet calculator, enter an IP addresses in the network along with a subnet mask and the calculator will provide the range of addresses that can be used within the subnet.   In addition to online calculators, a number of different subnet-calculator programs are available for Android, Apple and Windows Smartphones.  

Issue No alarms are being displayed in the alarm queue. This includes alarms from any automation server that has been added underneath an enterprise server database or enterprise server alarms. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment WorkStation Alarm Queue Cause This is a result of the alarm queue filter containing active filter conditions. Resolution Remove alarm filters: Click the Alarm Filter icon on the toolbar of the alarm queue. In the Select Conditions window, make sure that all of the alarm conditions have been removed or only the filters that you want remain. To remove an alarm condition, simply click the trashcan button on the far right side of the condition. Note: If a blank condition is left behind, it will prevent any alarm from being displayed in the alarm queue.

  Issue No more equation characters can be entered into a Function Block application Product Line EcoStruxure Buildings Operation Environment Buildings Operation WorkStation Buildings Operations Function Block Editor Cause You have exceeded the maximum number of characters allowed in a Function Block expression editor.   Resolution Expression text must have less than 500 characters. Split larger equations into two Function Blocks if needed. How to add an Expression Block  Expression Blocks 

Issue When adding License Entitlements via Device Administrator using the online method. After clicking activate, a "Communication failed" message is displayed:   Could not establish contact with License Server using SmartX Server Followed by a "License Operation Failed" message:   Add entitlement failed. License Server is offline. Error code: 41 Error message: CURL error: Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Device Administrator Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Cause When activating a SmartX Server license online, the SmartX server will try to connect to the license activation server to activate the license. If it cannot resolve the license activation server site name and connect, it will show up as offline. Resolution Make sure that the SmartX Server DNS is properly configured in the AS-P.  In Device Administrator select the Ethernet 1 Configuration tab. Check the Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary DNS settings If unsure of the correct DNS address, enter the Google DNS address of 8.8.8.8 or 8.8.4.4. The example below shows a local router address as the Primary DNS and Google DNS as the Secondary and Tertiary DNS.   To confirm that the SmartX Server can resolve the license activation server address Open a Console session on the SmartX Server in Device Administrator. Enter the command: ping schneider-electric.flexnetoperations.com If the DNS is correctly set in the SmartX Server, the result should look similar to that shown below: Note: Ensure that the ASP is fully connected to the Internet in order to perform Online Embedded License Activation. You need to be connected to the Automation Server using IP (Not via USB) to activate the embedded license.

Issue Is there any adaptive tuning in the flow control loop that drives the MP-V or RP-V damper loop that will be negatively impacted by extended periods of non-zero box flow setpoints when the associated AHU is disabled (i.e. no pressure at VAV so the damper will open fully and the flow control loop will saturate). Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV EasyLogic RP-V Cause No information on the internal Variable Air Volume Data object Resolution Airflow control in the MP and RP VAV controllers is not impacted by extended periods of non-zero box flow setpoints when the associated AHU is disabled. The damper is actuated by a single-speed motor with three states (open, close, hold), and to avoid windup or saturation effects, the flow control algorithm is not a PID loop. There is no need to link the AHU enable to the MP or RP flow control logic.

Issue TGML pages are slow to load in Workstation TGML objects are not responsive Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation TGML Cause The driver of the graphic card is outdated or not supported. Resolution Visit the webpage of the PC's brand and update the driver for the graphic card.

Issue The following error message appears when trying to change the system security settings of an Enterprise Server in Webstation:   An error has occurred Object protected ~/System/Security Manager/Global Security Settings     In Workstation the same settings are disabled (greyed out) and cannot be edited at all:   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Webstation Building Operation Workstation Cause The probable cause of this issue is that the Enterprise server is part of an EC - ES multiserver system setup. Then some settings are in a Lead - Shadow relationship and can only be controlled from the top EC (Enterprise Central) server. Resolution Edit these settings on the top Enterprise Central server.

Issue Graphics are not displayed via the WebStation. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation WebStation Graphics Trends Display issues Long hyphen # character Cause When a graphic is requested on a Building Operation Webstation, it is not displayed. The display will remain blank. Resolution Try the following steps below to correct the WebStation loading issue. Check the file size of the graphic page. If the TGML graphic size is too large it can have issues loading in WebStation. Majority of the times it is due to an image that is too large such as a floor plan.  If a graphic, or trend chart object, is created through a EcoStruxure Building Operation WorkStation and its name contains a "long hyphen", the graphic and trend chart objects cannot be viewed through WebStation. The long hyphen is not a supported character. When creating object names do not use the long hyphen (—) only use the short hyphen if required (-) If the version being used is 1.3, upgrading to 1.4.1x may resolve the issue. Check the name of the AS, an unsupported character may have been used e.g.#, to resolve, remove the character.

Issue Graphics appear fine when viewed from WorkStation, but when a web browser (WebStation) is used to view the AS, dark lines appear across portions of the graphic. Some objects with transparent backgrounds (fill set to "None") may appear with a grey background when viewed through a web browser. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment AS TGML Graphics WebStation Cause WebStation is less forgiving of some improper configuration settings than WorkStation. Objects attributes must follow proper syntax for Fill, Stroke, or Visibility. Resolution Open the graphic page in the TGML viewer Change lines, borders, and fills to some other value (black, for example) Change the attribute back to the desired setting (Visibility = Hidden or Fill = None) Save the graphic The improperly formatted attributes should be overwritten with the correct syntax and the graphic appears as desired in both environments.

Issue First Day of Week is incorrect Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation WorkStation Building Operation  WebStation Cause Calender/Schedule has the week starting on Sunday/Monday and the first day of the week in my region is Monday/Sunday. Resolution WorkStation Exit the Building Operation WorkStation. In the Operating System for Windows, select Start - Control Panel - Clock Language and Region. In Region and Language on the Formats tab, find First day of week and adjust to your regions choice: Open up Building Operation WorkStation and see your calendar changes the first day of the week to match your choice: WebStation Navigate to web_root/localization folder under the ES and find the Local-en.US.js.gz file to edit Using WordPad++ below I find the "First_Day_Of_Week" as shown below and change from "1" to a "2" then save, and using my zip software, I save to format gzip. Notice in the above screenshot the renamed OLDlocal-en-US.js.gz and the new one is in place. Now you can see in WebStation the first day of the week is Monday rather than Sunday

Issue EcoStruxure Building Operation Automation Server, Enterprise Server and BACnet object names limitation Dragging converted I/NET TGML graphics into Workstation causes Workstation to crash with following message: Exception message: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. System.NullReferenceException: Object reference not set to an instance of an object. at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.TgmlFileDropHandler.Drop(FileInfo, Path, IOperationContext, IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.FileDropCoordinator.ExecuteDrop(Path, IList`1, IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Base.Windows.Views.<>c__DisplayClassd.b__9(IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.Services.<>c__DisplayClass1.b__0(IProgressInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.ProgressIndication.ProgressActionOperation`2.Run(IProgressOperationInternal, IProgressResult, IProgressOperationInfo) at SE.WorkStation.Framework.Services.ProgressItem`1.b__1a(Task) at System.Threading.Tasks.<>c__DisplayClasse`1.b__d() at System.Threading.Tasks.Task`1.InvokeFuture(Object) at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.InnerInvoke() at System.Threading.Tasks.Task.Execute()  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Cause The number of characters and the use of special characters in a EcoStruxure Building Operation object name and EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet objects names Resolution Refer to the Webhelp Object Names topic for information on naming restrictions The statements in Webhelp also apply to EcoStruxure Building Operation BACnet objects unless is it a Continuum b3 object.  If you are creating a Continuum b3 object etc., the b3 object display name is limited to 16 characters consisting solely of letters, digits, and underscores (as per Continuum limitation). Basically, any objects you create for Continuum, for example, a 'BACnet Analog Input (Continuum)' will be subjected to the Continuum limitation. If you add a standard 'BACnet Analog Input' into an Automation Server or an Enterprise Server, then it is not limited by the Continuum limitation of 16 characters. The most common issue when bringing I/NET TGML converted graphics into Workstation is not checking for spaces at either the beginning or end of the converted file name.  Make sure there are no spaces (white space) before or after any characters of the file name before copying into Workstation.

Issue Displaying Automation Server status on a graphic page Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Webstation Automation Server Cause The online / offline status of an Automation Server can be viewed in the Workstation System Tree (Servers folder). However, there is currently no 'built in' method of displaying the Automation Server status on a graphic page.  Resolution There are two possible ways to workaround this   Within TGML Bind any Automation Server attribute that is shown only when the Automation Server is online (such as DateTime) and convert the status either by TGML script or a ConvertStatus element. See the attached example.   Using a script program We can create a point in the Automation Server and use another server to monitor this point. Below is an example of using the Enterprise Server to monitor an Automation Server.  Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, I have created an Analog Value point and set it to a value of 88.8. This value does not really matter but I have set to this value for easier recognition. Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, I have created an Analog Value point and set it to a value of 88.8. This value does not really matter but I have set to this value for easier recognition 1. Create a value point in the Automation Server. In this example, an Analog Value point (named 'Status')is created and set to a value of 88.8. The value set does not matter. It has been set to 88.8 for easy recognition.    2. In the Enterprise Server, create a new Program point (named 'Monitor AS' in this example) with the following codes.  Numeric Input In1 String Output Out1 Numeric Output Out2 Out2 = In1 If In1.Offline = true then Out1 = "Offline" else Out1 = "Online"   3. Edit the binding of the Script program and bind 'In1' to the Value Point that was created in the Automation Server.    4. When the Automation Server loses connectivity to the Enterprise Server, the Out1 output of the Script program will show 'Offline'. You can then bind this to a graphic page.

Issue Receive “Timeout while waiting for server to get ready” error when starting PCT Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, Project Configuration Tool Environment Project Configuration Tool, PCT Cause PCT can't reach DHCP-server from the virtual machine. Resolution To configure a port group or virtual switch to allow promiscuous mode: 1.Log into the ESXi/ESX host or vCenter Server using the vSphere Client. 2.Select the ESXi/ESX host in the inventory. 3.Click the Configuration tab. 4.In the Hardware section, click Networking. 5.Click Properties of the virtual switch for which you want to enable promiscuous mode. 6.Select the virtual switch or port group you wish to modify and click Edit. 7.Click the Security tab. 8.From the Promiscuous Mode drop  down menu, click Accept. Note: The setting on the port group overrides the virtual switch setting. For more information, see How promiscuous mode works at the virtual switch and portgroup levels (1002934).  

Issue The bandwidth utilization in the Lon network is high, it is possible to see what Lon device and what objects in the Lon device that is causing the high load on the Lon network. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Cause When the load on the Lon network is too high (above 50%) you need to analyze the Lon communication to understand what Lon devices and objects in the Lon device that is causing the high load on the network. Resolution Use a Lon Protocol Analyzer to measure the Lon bandwidth utilization on the Lon network if the load on the network is too high (above 50%) analyze the communication. When doing that it is possible to use the trace log in the ES or AS-P, please see attached video of how that is done.    Configure Trace Log to capture Lon Communications Open Workstation and navigate to [AS/ES name]/System/Modules/Trace/Loggers/nsp/nsp.pin/nsp.pin.lon Right-click "nsp.pin.lon.comm" and choose Properties Under Level, change from "Information" to "Trace", then click ok Let it run for a few minutes. If there is some user input needed to recreate the lon issue, then perform these steps now Retrieve the log by right-clicking [AS/ES name]/System/Modules/Trace/TraceSettings and choose Trace settings->Get trace log Save the log file

Issue In order to troubleshoot random network issues, it is sometimes necessary to set up Wireshark to capture network traffic for an extended period of time. As Wireshark runs it decodes packets and its data structures grow. This causes performance issues and eventually, Wireshark may simply run out of virtual memory and stop capturing or crash. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Wireshark Cause Need to capture network traffic using Wireshark for an extended period of time. Resolution Open Wireshark and follow these instructions: From toolbar, select Capture -> Options On the Input tab, select input adapter. If necessary set capture filter. On the Output tab, perform the following: Browse capture file location and provide a filename. A timestamp will be added to the filename as a suffix. Ensure output format = pcapng Check Create a new file automatically Check After 1 and change seconds to hours Check when time is multiple of 1 and change seconds to hour Check use a ring buffer with X files. (Recommended settings are 96 hours (4 days) or 168 hours (1 week) so can retrieve files after long weekend or 1 week, respectively).  On the Options tab, perform the following Check last selection and change to 744 hours. (Recommended to capture for 31 days without stopping).  When an event happens, gather a capture with the timestamp before and after the event. One can ZIP the .pcapng files to save space when transferring.   NOTE: More recent versions of Wireshark ( 2.4.1.21317 ) make it very easy to set up a ring buffer from the Output tab of the Capture options. For older versions of Wireshark 1.x use the steps below When capturing data, Wireshark actually uses a capture utility called DumpCap to do the actual data capture. DumpCap does not decode packets as they come in and thus has a smaller memory footprint which remains constant. The only remaining concern is the size of the capture file or files which can be specified when starting the ring buffer to keep them from growing too big. DumpCap is found at the location where the Wireshark program resides which can be seen if you go to Help\About Whireshark\Folders Determine the index to the Ethernet adapter you need to capture on. In this example, the traffic seen by the Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet adapter will be captured. Index 1 is specified when starting DumpCap. Execute DumpCap with the following options dumpcap -i 1 -b files:3 -b filesize:10 -w C:]temp\abe.pcapng -i 1 specifies tp capture on the network adapter with an index of 1 -b file: 3 specifies to use a 4 file ring buffer. -b filesize:10 specifies to limit the file size to 10 KB (*** for a real life capture this number would be much bigger like say 100/200 MB) -w c:\temp\abe.pcapng specifies location and prefix for the three files In the screenshot below we can see the files in the ring buffer being used, once a file reaches the specified limit, the capture continues at the next file, files are names using the specified prefix as well as a date-time stamp that is updated each time utility dumps captured data in the file. Care should be taken to stop the capture as soon as possible once the issue under investigation takes place and before the ring buffer wraps around and overwrites the data.

Issue Script program Halts with error “Datetime calculation with overflow” resulting in the program not controlling Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Observed in versions 4.0.1.86 and 4.0.3.176 Cause When a script program subtracts one datetime from another it can result in a negative value if the datetime being subtracted (subtrahend) is a later datetime than the one being subtracted from (minuend).  This causes the program to halt with error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.  The issue can also occur when a script program calls a function that involves a datetime subtraction resulting in a negative value, for example the standard PID function.   The image below illustrates the issue where DT1 is a later time than DT2.     The problem has typically been seen to occur when using the PID function and the ASP is set to obtain updates from an NTP server.  The PID function uses the current time and the last time the function was called to calculate the time passed, for example: -   TimePassed = CurrentDate – LastTime   Ignoring the date portion consider the scenario where the ASP time is currently 14:01:00 but is one minute ahead of the actual time of the NTP server.  If the function has just been called the LastTime variable will be 14:01:00.  However, in the meantime if the ASP time is updated by the NTP server it becomes 14:00:00 and hence when the function is called again the calculation is: -   TimePassed = 14:00:00 – 14:01:00    This results in a negative value halting the program on error “Datetime calculation with overflow”.   Resolution Either of the two workarounds below can be used but each will need to be considered based on their overall impact.    Use the DIFFTIME function If calling a function check the subtrahend is not a later datetime than the minuend before calling.   This is reported in defect #50263

Issue How can I add a SmartStruxure Automation Server to TAC Vista using BACnet/IP and what is needed Product Line TAC Vista, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TAC Vista Xenta 913 Automation Server Cause Building Operation versions earlier than 3.2 are not FDA 21 Part 11 approved, In instances where the version is lower than 3.2 it can be achieved by using  TAC Vista as a front end, and having Automation Servers as field controllers. In Building Operation version 3.2 and later an optional Regulated Industries Compliance Pack is available that can be used without the need for  TAC Vista as a front end. Resolution 1. Create a BACnet interface in Automation Server. 2. Create BACnet points in the "Application" folder 3. Browse the Automation Server with a BACnet browser (Here is a free tool) 4. Note the instance id's of the points 5. In TAC Vista, create a Xenta 913 6. Edit the Xenta 913 7. Create a "BACnet IP Client" interface and give it the IP address of the Automation Server 8. Create a BACnet device template containing the points you need - refer to the id's previously discovered 9. Add the device template to the "BACnet IP Client" interface in XBuilder 10. Save and download the project 11. Now you get the live values from the Automation Server in TAC Vista