Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Door value set to UNLOCKED from the editor but the door relocks when a card (valid or invalid) is presented at the door reader. Environment CyberStation CX9680 ACX5740/20 CX9702 CX9900 ACX701 ACX781 Cause Door value is reset by the access engine every time the door processes a validation attempt. Resolution To keep a door unlocked use one of the following door unlock strategies: 1. PermanentUnlock attribute 2. TimedUnlock attribute 3. Door unlock schedule

Issue Following a loss of power the CX9640 Controller shows no activity on comm2  even though Infinet devices are connected to the field bus. The CX9640 itself shows online but opening the comport shows the mode as Autoset. Environment bCX9640 Other controllers that support Infinet field bus. CX9900 CX9680 ACX5740/20 Cause The controller has lost its OMS database and the comport has default to Autoset. Resolution Reload the controller from CyberStation,

Issue Miscellaneous points that are controlled via Plain English programs are not following the program's command. Environment Cyberstation, All Versions. All BACnet type controllers with Plain English Code Cause Default BACnet Command Priorities must be modified based on the Continuum system configuration and integration with other 3rd Party BACnet devices. Example: By default, Graphics have a Command Priority of "Manual Operator" (8) and Plain English has a default Command Priority of (10). If the system is left with these defaults, then an operator who modifies, adjusts or toggles a point value via a graphic will in turn set that value with a command priority of 8. Since PE has a command priority of 10, the operator command remain in effect until either it is relinquished or a similar or higher command priority is sent. In this example, an operator set a point that is controlled via Plain English was toggled (not overridden) from On to Off. The Program wanted it ON. The point will stay in the Off position until either the operator(s) relinquish the command or another command of the same command priority sends a value. Resolution Open the BACnet preferences at the Workstation. Set all the Command priorities to 10. This will allow Plain English programs, etc to retake control of point affected but changes made via graphics or other editing methods. If the points however are actually override, you must release the override and relinquish the command. See BACnet Documentation: BACnet For Continuum Users (loaded on all Cyberstations) Continuum BACnet Engineering

Issue Workstation does not delete from database correctly Object does not delete from database correctly Environment Continuum 1.81 only seen in this version on XP Cause When deleting the workstation using Continuum explorer only the objects within the workstation get deleted, the workstation does not. Resolution Run Continuum Analyzer when you see a failed item, run the "clean". (Always backup the database before using the "clean" command)

Issue Some X Drivers on the Third Party Interface datasheet are classed as 1st Generation and others are 2nd Generation, which drivers should I use? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All X Drivers Any controller with XDrivers enabled on a Comm port. Cause Sometimes the incorrect file is being used on a controller and this will stop the X Driver from working correctly. Resolution You can only use a 1st Generation X Driver on a 1st Generation controller and a 2nd Generation X Driver on a 2nd generation controller. - 1st Generation controllers are: CX9200, CX9400, CX9900, CX9940, CMX9924 - 2nd Generation controllers are: Netcontroller II (CX9680), bCX1 (4040 or 9640), ACX II (5740, 5720)   Download the Third Party Interface datasheet Note: Not all X Drivers are available for both generations of controllers, consult the above datasheet for availability.

Issue Personnel objects named VisitorX. When the card is issued the name is changed from visitorX to the name of the person the card is issued to. Once the card is returned the name is changed back to visitorX until ready to be reissued. When a list of Access Events is shown the events only show the current name associated with the person and all previous names are lost from the system Environment CyberStation Cause Function as designed. Resolution Create a Custom Attribute for personnel objects (i.e. CardHolderName) and use it to store the actual name of the person holding the Visitor card.

Issue In a Graphic panel configured with a background image and several controls including a combo box control when the list is exposed (pulled down) it snaps back closed before a selection can be made. Environment CyberStation Cause Interaction between combo box control and other graphic object components such as back ground image can cause the combo box control to behave inappropriately. For example, an overlap of the combo box control with other controls and/or images in the canvas may cause the issue. Resolution Switch graphic to design mode and re-arrange controls and images until combo box works as expected.

Issue I2867 inputs all read 1000 Degrees. Change out of controller does not remedy the issue. Environment All Infinet/MSTP controllers Cause Field controllers have an electrical range that they will properly operate. Typically this is +10% and -15% of the required power as described in the installation manual. If the power supplied to the unit is below this threshold, the CPU and power LEDs may appear normal, however the inputs and outputs will not function properly or at all. They are out of range. This situation must be remedied or damage can also occur. One way this can occur is if a properly grounded secondary transformer is not supplied. Supplying power from a piece of equipment that uses a step down 220/208-24 etc power supply can cause electrical issues should that equipment experience electrical problems. Resolution Supply proper, grounded 24Vac power to the controllers. Always check the power with a multi-meter and verify grounding.

Issue How does CyberStation determine which printer to send alarms to when EventNotification is configured to print the alarm. Environment CyberStation Cause Question on Alarm printing configuration. Resolution When an alarm is configured to be sent to a printer, if no printer has been specified in the preferences of the Workstation receiving the alarm then the default printer configured at the PC is used. To use a different printer open the CyberStation object from the Continuum Explorer at the workstation receiving the alarm and enter the full path to the printer in the “Path to the Alarm Printer” field using the format  \\Server-Name\Printer-Name Example: \\ServerBoston-001\PR-HP3800N When CyberStation receives an alarm, if the EventNotification specifies that the alarm is to be printed, CyberStation will use the named printer instead of the default printer. In the EventNotification, make sure the "Print Alarm" option is ticked in the Actions tab. On the Delivery tab, check that the WS is configured as "Primary Print". Test your alarm against the Microsoft XPS printer by selecting this as your default (right-click on the printer and select "set as default printer")and then triggering an alarm.

Issue How to modify or add an area or areas to selected personnel How to modify personnel (or other) attributes Environment Cyberstation Personnel Listview Attributes Editlock lock locked Cause Need to add or delete areas from multiple personnel Need to change attributes Resolution Create a listview of personnel, with a filter (for example, by department) to show only the personnel to be modified. Select the personnel to be modified. Right click on the selected Personnel objects and select "Add Areas" or "Remove Area" from the context menu. In the ‘Area’ window you can select one or more areas to assign. Other attributes can be modified in the same manner EG. if many objects get edit locked, select all in the listview, then right click, set attribute, Edit lock to false.

Issue The Modbus IP X Driver can operate in 2 modes Client & Server, can it poll multiple servers in "Client mode", or serve to multiple clients in "Server mode"? Environment Modbus TCP/IP X Driver XDriver IP X-Driver, X Driver, Client Server Cause Clarification required on the functionality of Modbus IP interfaces. Resolution A Continuum controller can only support 1 IP level X Driver. The Modbus IP X Driver can be configured in Client or Server mode but not both (that would require 2 Controllers)  In Server mode the Modbus IP X Driver can serve data out to multiple clients on the same network. In Client mode the Continuum Modbus IP X Driver can co-exist with another IP Modbus client on the same network/ device. It can also poll multiple servers. When polling a 3rd party Modbus IP Server that can also be polled from a second Modbus IP Client, you will need to determine from the supplier if it supports multiple simultaneous sessions. In both Client and Server configurations the number of different sockets (different IP addresses it can talk to) is dependent on the controller used. A bCX1 has a total of 128 IP sockets, but a number of these are used by the regular workstation comms, others can be used for add on options like SNMP alarming, so I would not recommend on communicating with more than around 80 different devices from 1 controller. Currently the NCII only has around 30 available sockets (although this is planned to be increased in a future firmware revision).  

Issue If it is possible, what is the best way to integrate LONMark devices to Continuum? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Netcontroller CX9900, CX9940, Netcontroller II CX9680 Echelon LON X Driver, XDriver, X-Driver LONMark, SNVTs, Bridge, Gateway Cause Clarification required on LON compatibility. Resolution FTT Versions of both the Netcontroller and Netcontroller II can be configured to communicate with 3rd party LONMark devices. You need to use the 1 st generation or 2 nd generation X Driver file respectively for these controllers. The FTT-10 port Comm16 has to be selected to be in LONMark X Driver mode, this is done in the Web page or the HyperTerminal Window connection. Once in LONMark mode you can not connect any IO Modules to the controller. The LONMark X Driver allows data to be mapped between the Continuum system and a LONMark Network. You create X Driver points in the Netcontroller II defining the SNVTs they will be seen as in the LON system. You then will need to design a LON Network that will consist of the NCII LON port (Comm16) and the other LON Devices to be connected. This network will need to be designed using the correct LON cabling and terminations. You will need a PC with appropriate NIC card to run the Lonmaker 3.2 software or the NL220 software to design your LON network and create all of the bindings between the different devices. The LON X Driver will act as a bridge between the LON and the Continuum networks. Both Lonmaker 3.2 and NL220 can be ordered through Schneider Electric along with any LON routing devices that may be required in the LON network design, these parts will be in the Vista product catalogues and price lists. Details of the configuration of the X Driver points are detailed in the LONMark X Driver User Guide. The Latest Echelon LonMark X Driver software for the FTT Netcontrollers can be downloaded from The Exchange Download Center. Note: Unlike other X Drivers, the LONMark driver does not require a port to be X Driver enabled to operate.

Issue After creating a CX or BCX controller, the controller will not come on line or will go off line after a reset/reload. Only restarting Cyberstation seems to bring the device back on line. Environment BCX CX Cyberstation Cause Have more than one NIC in the PC (Not supported) Having the primary NIC (Local Area Connection) not the #1 NIC in the advanced list. Resolution Disable the other NICs in the PC Open the Network Properties Environment (Properties of "My Network Places") Click on the Advanced , then Advanced Settings menu. In the Adapters and Bindings tab, make sure the primary NIC is at the top of the list. If not, move it to the top. Save and close. Restart Cyberstation.

Issue What is the Max object count in a B3 controller. Environment   Continuum 1.7X Continuum 1.8X Continuum 1.9X B3 Controllers Cause What is the Max object count in a B3 controller. Resolution The max object count for B3 controllers is 250.   200  user 50 reserved for System Variables

Issue On a city wide network there are several SQL instances to choose from, will this be an issue with Continuum. Environment Continuum Cyberstation SQL Cause Product compatibility with several instances of SQL Resolution Continuum workstations will be setup with the Continuum Database Initialization and all workstations will point to the same SQL instance where the database is created. Having other instances of SQL installed on a network will not cause an issue.

Issue At times running a vbscript from webpinpoint is needed and you may receive an error after configuring the button that webpinpoint cannot find the vbscript you are trying to run. Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is some configuration and file placement required to get this to work. Resolution Create a button on a graphic in Continuum and set it up as follows: Action Start windows program Windows Program c:\windows\system32\wscript.exe Command line argument (Hello.vbs is an example script) Hello.vbs (This is the vbscript you are trying to run) If you only place hello.vbs in the system32 folder you will get an error when pressing the button in webpinpoint that it can’t find c:\program Files\Webclientpinpoint Copy hello.vbs to c:\program Files\Webclientpinpoint The script should now launch. Caveat: This was a very basic test, not all vbscripts may launch depending on their content. Warning! Allowing vbscripts to run in IIS and on websites is potentially dangerous because viruses and malicious software can be introduced this way.

Issue Replaced old infinet controller with a second generation infinet controller.  Getting duplicate serial number when I bring try to bring the second controller online.. Environment i2 Continuum SQL Cause A misallocation of serial numbers exists between the database. Resolution Reload the InfinityController with attached objects, but not attached controllers. 

Issue Unable to connect to a NetController I using a terminal emulator program such as hyperterminal. Unable to access controller webpage using MS Internet Explorer. Environment InfinityController Internet Explorer HyperTerminal Terminal Emulator Controller webpage. Cause The controller is configured with an IP address other than the factory default address. The controller is configured with an unknown IP address. The laptop PC is connected to the wrong port on the controller. Resolution To determine what IP address the controller has been configured for Start a LAN capture on the laptop PC using WireShark or EtherReal Power cycle the controller. Once the controller has reset it will send out an gratuitous ARP packet that will contain the controllers IP address. Second Generation Controllers Connect a PC directly to the controller alone with a single ethernet cable. Verify that the connector cable is connected to the correct port on the laptop PC (Do not use a USB Media convertor) Verify that the connector cable is connected to the correct port on the Controller. Verify that the IP setting on the PC and the IP setting of the controller are within the same subnet. If Web Server Security is enabled  on the controller you must use https:// rather than http:// before the IP address. If the controller has an IP reset button Hold it down for 60 seconds to restore the factory default IP address. Change the IP setting on the PC's network interface to 169.254.1.2 Attempt to access webpage using the default address  169.254.1.1 If the controller will not come on line reflash the firmware using RoamIO or Cyberstation.  Determine if the Web TCP port was changed from the default Note: A controller does not necessarily have to show up as being online in CyberStation in order to be flashed. If this will not work try bringing the controller into Cyber on a new test database, then reflashing.     First Generation controllers                                               Verify that the serial cable adapter has the correct pin configuration.  Verify that the cable adapter is not damaged or defective. CX9200 Ensure that the pins on the EPROMS that may have been switched from Infinity to Continuum are not bent

Issue A CX 9680 Netcontroller II does not provide access events to Cyberstation 1.80 Environment Continuum Cyberstation 1.80 Cause Incorrect firmware version Resolution Continuum Cyberstations versions 1.74 sp2 through 1.81,  CX 9680 controllers will need to be at firmware version 2.000xxx Continuum Cyberstations versions 1.82 through 1.9x,  CX 9680 controllers will need to be at firmware version 2.100xxx NOTE: Controllers are shipped with the latest firmware versions. If you are using Continuum Cyberstation 1.74sp2 - 1.81 you may need to down rev the firmware version.

Issue As a last resort when a Cyberstation is offline or there are difficulties connecting to a database, it is necessary to change the Workstation Initialization fields using the Windows registry. Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Partial objects in a database and registry entries occasionally get out of sync. Resolution Caution! Editing of the registry can be potentially dangerous, make sure someone who is familiar with using regedit completes this procedure. It is best to get a restore point of the Windows PC, if the version allows, prior to taking the following steps. Shutdown Cyberstation From Windows, Start> Run> Regedit Expand the hives(folders) to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Andover Controls Right Click on Andover Controls and select export, name the file and save. (This file can be used to restore the original settings of this branch) Expand the folder to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Andover Controls\Continuum\Settings Double click on Workstation Name (Change this to the name required Ex. WS1) Double click on Network Id and select decimal (Change value data to the number needed Ex. 192) Double click on Device Node Id and select decimal (Change value data to the number needed Ex. 192) Double click on Container Name (Change this to the name required Ex. WS1folder) Close Regedit Go into database initialization and select Workstation and you will now see those settings there. Go to the database tab and enter in the password for andover97 and click Ok. If the database initialization screen comes back(resolves to the database)with no errors, then this new instance of the Workstation was successfully created in the database. Launch Continuum Note: On a 64- bit system the registry location is slightly different. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\WoW6432Node\Andover Controls\Continuum\Settings   Continuum queries to get some of the Workstation Initialization parameters (Comments in parenthesis are not part of the query) select  * from device  (Device is the table name, uiname is the column where the Workstation Name can be found) select * from container (Container is the table name, uiname is the column where the Folder Name can be found) select * from device (Device is the table name, networkid is the column where the Network ID can be found) Device ID is not available, but is often the same as the Network ID