Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue On the extranet site, there are two .zip files (SNMP+V1.0+MIBs.zip and SNMP+v2C+MIBs.zip). What is the difference? Environment SNMP Alarming Cause Not sure which file to use.   Resolution On The Exchange Download Center, there are two .zip files (SNMP MIBs v1.0 and SNMP MIBs v2C). The choice between the above files will likely be dictated by the site IT Department, based on their Network Management System. The V1.0 and V2C is the version of the SNMP protocol and is independent of the Continuum controller model and version.  Here's some background information on the protocol versions: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simple_Network_Management_Protocol#SNMPv1_.26_SNMPv2c_interoperability  

Issue Continuum presents an error when starting up. "Either there is no default mail client or the current mail client cannot fulfill the messaging request. Please run Microsoft Outlook and set it as the default mail client" Environment Continuum Cyberstation Microsoft Outlook Cause When Outlook is installed on the Workstation, Continuum will try to make a connection to Outlook when it starts up. If Outlook has not been configured as the default mail client then it can't make this connection and presents the error. Resolution Either make Outlook the default email client or uninstall from the Workstation. See Microsoft KB here that describes how to set your default email client.

Issue After drag/drop/copying a b3 to many other b3s an InfinityProgram called FiringOrder is listed with the other InfinityPrograms within some of the b3s  Environment 1.94 standalone, b3 VAV controllers Cause Appears something went wrong with the drag/drop/copy. Possibly tried to copy to too many controllers. Resolution ContinuumAnalyzer identified the problem in the InfinityProgram Object Integrity Test and the Clean fixed it up.  

Issue Do i2600 Series controller support expansion modules? Environment i2608 i2624 Cause Documentation Resolution i2600 Series controllers are input only devices (8 or 24) and DO NOT have an expansion port.

Issue Is the Niagara G3 Floating License Repository (FLR) available for purchase? The FLR is a licensed feature that runs as a service in a Niagara station to provide licenses to other Niagara Runtime Environment (NRE) applications. Available licenses are 'leased' by authorized NRE applications at startup and 'returned' when the application shuts down. Environment Niagara G3 (version 3.5 and higher) Cause Field question Resolution The FLR was introduced with version 3.5 and discontinued shortly thereafter by Tridium. It is no longer available for purchase.

Issue Can a soft or hard reboot command be sent to a MNB controller from a Niagara R2 UNC-520? Environment Niagara R2 Cause Avoid the need for using the WorkPlace Commissioning Tool Resolution Any kind of reboot command from a Niagara R2 station, to a MNB controller, is not possible. The WorkPlace Commissioning Tool is required.

Issue Which Modbus driver is required for I/A Series Niagara G3 ENC-520 to support Modbus TCP? Environment I/A Series G3 ENC-520, JACE-645, JACE-6E, JACE-7, JACE-NXT, ENC-SW Cause Select the correct part number to enable the ENC to function as a Modbus TCP Client (Master) or Server (Slave).  Resolution ENC-DRV-MOD-T (ENC 520 acts as Modbus master (client) using Ethernet TCP) ENC-DRV-MOD-R (ENC 520 acts as Modbus server (slave) using Ethernet TCP) using Ethernet TCP master using Ethernet TCP

Issue The SEQROT object in the Network8000 integration in the AS seems to work with constant input values but not reference pointers. Environment AS version 1.3.0 & 1.3.0 SP1 with Network8000 interface Cause After the object has been defined to use constant inputs those input values must be reset to Null before the reference inputs will be used. Resolution The Analog input constant can be returned to Null by highlighting the value it contains and clicking the delete key.  The field will be empty until a save is done.  With a digital input such as the Rotate stages constant simply highlight the value and click the delete key and it will change to Null.

Issue Fail to communicate with Xenta/LonWorks devices under Xenta Server although Xenta Server is online and commissioned. The Neuron ID can't be pinged. Environment Vista Xenta Server Cause The Xenta Server is online and commissioned, but the LonWorks network needs to be commissioned with asterisk symbol on the LonWorks network. Resolution Remember to commission the LonWorks network after the Xenta Server is downloaded in Xbuilder.

Issue Is it a problem in StruxureWare Building Operation to start many trend logs at the same time? Environment StruxureWare Building Operation version 1.3 Cause When starting several trend logs at the same time the Servers will try to read all the logged values at the same moment which is causing a big load on the system. Resolution Starting several trends at the same time should not have a big impact on the rest of the system, and our internal thread management shall ensure that no logs are missed. But it could cause a big load on the field bus and field devices so this is something to consider.    

Issue Supported Version of Windows Server and SQL Server for StruxureWare Reports Server Environment Reports Server Cause Reports Server is only supported on a specific operating systems and SQL Server versions. Resolution SmartStruxure 1.4.1 and below  Windows Environment: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit) SQL Software Options Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) SP2 (Download Page - Direct link) Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard (64-bit) SP2 (Download SP2: Download page - Direct link)   SmartStruxure 1.5 and above  Windows Environment: Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (64-bit) Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (64-bit) Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 (64-bit) SQL Software Options Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) SP2 (Download Page - Direct link) Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard (64-bit) SP2 (Download SP2: Download page - Direct link) Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Express with Advanced Services (64-bit) SP2 (Download page - Direct link) Microsoft SQL Server 2012 Standard (64-bit) SP2 (Download SP2: Download page - Direct link)

Issue A MicroSmart controller is not communicating and the red watchdog timer (WDT) LED is on solid. Environment DMS Cause Possible hardware issue or power issue Resolution Things to try: - Power cycle the controller - Verify it has a good earth ground and 24 Vac - Hardware clear the controller - Replace the line driver and disconnect the communications trunk - If it is a MSC-MPC, remove all modules.  If the WDT LED begins flashing normally, re-connect the modules one at a time until the WDT LED goes solid   On-board hardware issue.  Replace with another controller

Issue Importing a Menta application for a Xenta 301 controller cannot be saved. Environment Xenta 301 importing Save Saving Cause Importing a Menta application for a Xenta 301 controller, and then saving it, works correctly. If the application is modified in some way, requiring a second import, then this import cannot be saved. Resolution This issue has been assigned to defect 22178, which is due to be fixed in release 1.5. Work around. Delete the existing controller object, and then create a new controller object before importing the modified Menta application.

Issue Both errors indicate WorkPlace Tech cannot determine if the vsd file being opened is in the current project. Environment WorkPlace Tech Cause The names of the folders that were brought forward contained an apostrophe, i.e. Vav's, AHU's, etc. Resolution Rename the folders eliminating the apostrophe before bringing the folders\drawings into the new project and these errors will not occur.

Issue Unable to migrate programming over from Continuum as program use Numerics configured as global arrays. How can arrays be used in StruxureWare Building Operation? Environment Enterprise Server Automation Server b3xxx Cause Under StruxureWare Building Operation, objects can no longer be setup as global arrays using manual log entries. Resolution You are still able to use local arrays in Programs and Functions. Modify your Pain English program code so that they use local arrays (defined within the Program or Function) rather than global arrays (defined in the numeric/input as a manual log).

Issue SNVT bindings to the LNS Network Interface do not update when viewed in Vista Environment Vista 5 Lonmaker 3.2 NL220 Cause When a binding to a dynamic SNVT in the LNS Network Interface is created or modified, there is no indication in the System Plugin that an update to the Vista database is required.  However, if the Vista database is not updated, newly created dynamic SNVTs will not appear in the $Host folder in Vista and existing, modified bindings will stop updating. Resolution Ensure that the Vista database is updated from the System Plugin after every change affecting bindings to the LNS Network Interface.

Issue V298 is obsolete and needs a replacement Environment V231: 7213106000 7213110000 7213114000 7213118000 7213122000 7213126000 7213130000 7213134000 7213138000 7213142000 7213146000 7213150000 V298: 7219818000 7219822000 7219826000 7219830000 7219834000 7219838000 7219442000 7219846000 Cause Obsolete valve needs replacement Resolution V298 valves can be replaced by valves from the V231 family. For more details, please see the data sheets for each valve model. Please note that the V298 closes with stem down, while V231 closes with the stem up.

Issue At times it is necessary to uninstall and reinstall just EpiBuilder for troubleshooting a specific issue with Epibuilder You may also need to do this if receiving an 'error opening EpiDesigner configuration database' clicking Make/Edit Badge Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Troubleshooting requires uninstalling and reinstalling EpiBuilder or if getting 'error opening EpiDesigner configuration database' Resolution Go to Windows Control Panel> Add/remove programs in XP/2003 or Programs and Features in Windows7/2008 Uninstall EpiBuilder When prompted about the license, select Yes to continue Reboot Login as a local PC administratrot and Open My Computer and navigate to C:\Program Files\Continuum\EPIBuilder\SDK and run InstalEpiBuilder.bat

Issue There's a need to understand how COV subscriptions are established and re-established when a controller goes offline and comes back online Environment StruxureWare Building Operation b3s Cause COV subscriptions get established with PE programming and with bindings Resolution The time to live for the subscription is 5 hours and gets checked every 5 minutes. If the b3 (client) goes offline eventually the subscriber server will stop the subscription after it sends out 4 messages every 3 seconds. If the acknowledge that the subscription isn’t received by the server device then it stops the subscription. The client subscriber is the one that determines the initiation of the subscription, so in this case once the b3 resets, either warm start or cool start and the program runs then the subscription would start again. A cold start would not start the subscription. If the target device goes offline, then it will be searched for with the ‘who-is’ service, and when it comes back online (the device replies with ‘I-am’), the COV subscription will be reestablished. A binding will also attempt to setup a COV subscription.  If the target device goes offline, then it will be searched for with the ‘who-is’ service, and when it comes back online (the device replies with ‘I-am’), the COV subscription will be reestablished.

Issue An existing Niagara G3 server is being replaced with new hardware.  The new server is being configured while the existing server continues to operate the station.  A replacement license has been provided for the new server with a new hostId.  The license for the existing server has been de-activated by Tridium.  Will the existing server continue to function even though its license has been de-activated?  Note:  The existing server has an Internet connection. Environment Niagara G3 Cause PC hardware replacement Resolution The existing server will continue to run the station.  The license remains active as long as there is no web-based license update performed.