Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue After upgrading the Continuum workstation software, cannot edit workstation programs Environment Continuum Cyberstation Workstation programs Plain English Cause Not able to edit workstation programs. Firing order is edit locked. Resolution To resolve open up the Continuum Commandline program and type in "Firingorder editlock=false" This will unlock the firing order and programs will be able to be edited. In the simple case of editlock where a program may have been editlocked which is different than firing order editlocked. Simply select the program in question and press Ctrl+U or access the properties of the program by right click and select the CurrentStatus tab and press the "Force Object to unlock" button.

Issue How many CALs should be purchased for a Continuum system? Environment CyberStation Cause Licensing requirement for MS server Resolution The number of Client Access Licenses (CAL) needed depends on how many CyberStations will be at the site. CALs needed are: 1 for Windows and 1 for SQL. CALS are typically purchased in quantities of five. So, 3 Continuum workstations would require the server to have 5 of each.

Issue Can not see bCX4040 in BACnet view following Find New BACnet Devices from the root. CyberStation and controller are located on the same subnet, no BBMD configuration is required. Environment CyberStation bCX4040 b4920 Cause Subnet mask mismatch between PC and bCX Subnet mask not property configured in controller or the PC Resolution Login to controller's configuration web page and set the subnet mask to the appropriate value for the network. Submit the changes and re-start the controller. If the mismatch is on the PC side, fix it in the network properties in windows control panel.

Issue Windows 7 Standalone v1.93. Logged into Windows as admin. Try to edit Continuum menu page to put in custom backgrounds and  new .mnu file. Get error when going to run mode: "Access to c:\program...\userprofile\continuum.mnu was denied". Environment CyberStation running on Windows 7 Cause Windows 7 has a security feature called User Account Control Settings that is designed to prevent potentially harmful programs from making changes to your computer. The default setting is Level 3 of 4. This setting may prevent the .MNU from updating.     Resolution Note: The windows logged on user must have administrator-level privileges to perform this change. Change the User Account Control Setting to Never Notify. Open Control Panel -> User Accounts. Click on Change User Account Control Settings.   Drag the control to the lowest setting (Never Notify) and save. Restart Windows.

Issue Difference found between 2 technical documents regarding the Universal Inputs of the b3810 and b3814 controllers. In the Controller Data Sheet the Universal Inputs are indicated 0-10VDC, 12 bit.  In the Family Controllers Brochure it's indicated Universal Inputs 0-5V, 10bit.  Which document is correct?   Environment BACnet b3810 and b3814 controllers Cause An older revision of the Family Controllers Brochure contains inaccurate / outdated information. Resolution The Universal Inputs for the b3810 and b3814 controllers are 12 bit,  0-10VDC.  The next revision of the BACnet Family of Controllers document will contain the correct voltage. Controllers available with 12 bit A/D Converters 0-10VDC are: i2/b3920 i2/b3810 i2/b3814 Other i2/b3 controller inputs have 10 bit A/D converters.

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 When running the stored procedure sp_changedbowner to change the dbowner to "andover97", the following error message is received: "The proposed new database owner is already a user or aliased in the database". Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (Keywords: drop user ) Cause The Andover97 user already has access to the database through an existing alias or security account within the database. This can occur when the DB is not restored properly to the SQL server. The database may have been detached and then attached again, which is not the preferred method of restoring a ContinuumDB. Resolution Under the ContinuumDB there is a "security" and then "users" folder. Check to see if the Andover97 user is in this folder. Continuum does not put this user in this folder. If it is there, then it will need to be dropped from the database before trying to change the dbowner. Do the following: Do a complete full backup of your ContinuumDB. Run the following SQL script to drop the user from the ContinuumDB. USE [ContinuumDB] GO DROP USER [Andover97] GO Re-run the stored procedure to change the db owner below. USE [ContinuumDB] GO sp_changedbowner 'andover97' GO To minimize the chance of this occurring again, the correct procedure for moving or restoring a Continuum database is to do the following: Create a new ContinuumDB with Continuum's Database Initialization. This creates the DB, SQL jobs, stored procedures, adds Andover97 as an admin and a lot of behind the scenes security settings. Restore a previous backup over top of the ContinuumDB created in step 1. Change the db owner with the above query using the sp_changedbowner stored procedure. Re-initialize the Cyberstation into the Database using Continuum's Database Initialization.

Issue A program is entered in a point's alarm configuration but the program does not run when the point goes into alarm. Environment CyberStation All CXs All i2 and b3 devices Cause Event notification object not configured to run program. Resolution In the Event Notification's actions list, select the 'Run Program' action.

Issue What is the maximum number of personnel records (cardholders) in an ACX controller? Environment Continuum ACX controller Cause Limitations within the ACX controller. Resolution The ACX 57XX series controllers can service up to 8 areas, and can hold a maximum of 480,000 personnel records. 

Issue List view configured with qualifier Value = NotSet yet shows objects with a value of 0 (zero) as well. Environment All CXs All i2s All b3s Cause In Continuum NotSet evaluates to zero Resolution There is no way in Continuum to show only the objects that have a value of NotSet, in Continuum NotSet and zero are the same value so a list view with a qualifier 'Value = NotSet' will show objects with value set to zero as well as value set to NotSet.

Issue Can Continuum run on a Windows Server 2008 R2 system? Environment Continuum Cyberstation and webClient Cause Installing Continuum software on a Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system. Resolution Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 is supported in Continuum version 1.91 and later.  It is supported in 32-bit and 64-bit environments only when used for a LAN system database server (neither Cyberstation nor webClient can be installed on the PC).  In addition, only the use of MS SQL 2008 is supported. 

Issue How to configure an alarm to see when controllers go offline. Environment Continuum Continuum Controllers Cause Want to see an alarm when controllers go offline / online. Resolution There is a default EventEnrollment already created that does this. To setup controller offline alarms, do the following: Go to the "Templates" folder in Continuum Explorer where a number of default EventNotifications are found. Open the "ControllerStatus" EventNotification and go to the Delivery tab. Add in the Workstations that where this alarm is to be sent too. Now any time a controller goes offline or comes back online, an alarm entry will be received at the Workstation entered in step 2. The other EventNotifications in this folder can be used to provide alarms on the subnet controllers status (InfinetStatus), IOU modules (IOModuleStatus), etc... ***Important: CyberStations detect controller’s offline status via a mechanism that periodically probes the controllers for their communication statuses; the default period for the probe is 60 seconds. If data is consistently being passed then no probe goes out. A Probe will go out if the controller has not heard from the other controller after a minute and no data has been passed. If an ACK is not received then it will try 3 more times with a 5 second delay after each retry. If it does not get a response after the 3rd retry then it will mark the controller offline and register a node failure alarm. If a controller goes offline for a short period of time (60 seconds or less) it is possible that not all recipient CyberStations will see the controller offline. If the CyberStation designated as the logging CyberStation for the ‘ControllerStatus’ alarm misses the offline condition the alarm WILL NOT be logged in the database.  

Issue When Continuum Starts after log on the page takes a long time to open. It seems the process is taking longer than expected. Environment Continuum 1.81 Windows XP sp2 Cause Use an Antivirus to scan the system. If viruses are detected, they can cause symptoms like this. Resolution Remove the detected viruses reported when AntiVirus scan was performed. While it is suggested to install Continuum with Admin privileges and also AntiVirus turned off, AntiVirus should be turned on when installation is complete. Any PC on a network, internet or USB and CD access is vulnerable to viruses.

Issue Where can older versions of Cyberstation software be downloaded from? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation Cause Older version of Cyberstation software archived to FTP site. Resolution Log on to FTP server ftp://ftp.andovercontrols.com/ Customer UserName: andoverrep Password : andoverrep   Older CyberStation versions are found in the CyberStation_Revisions directory.

Issue What is the procedure for upreving from 1.31 with MS Access to 1.93? Environment CyberStation Cause No supported upgrade path when upgrading Continuum system that uses MS Access database to SQL database. Resolution Since there is no direct upgrade path the only option is to export everything to dump files from the old MS Access Continuum system then import into a new SQL ContinuumDB in new version of the CyberStation. Graphics files from the old system are not compatible with new version of the Pinpoint Continuum application and will have to be discarded, although it may be possible to re-use bitmap files.

Issue  Windows 7 Enterprise is not listed in the compatibility matrix for Continuum versions 1.93, 1.94, 1.94SP1 and 2.0x Environment Windows 7 Enterprise Continuum versions 1.93, 1.94, 1.94SP1 and 2.0x Cause  Windows 7 Enterprise is not listed in the compatibility matrix as a supported OS for Continuum versions 1.93, 1.94, 1.94SP1 and 2.0x  Resolution  All versions of Windows 7 require product activation.  Windows 7 Enterprise can only be activated with a Volume License MAK or KMS  Key if it is not activated against a local KMS server. Enterprise requires a  VL KMS/MAK out of the box or activation against a local KMS server. It can  be rearmed up to 3 times.  Windows 7 Ultimate edition activates conventionally via the internet to  Microsoft activation servers.  Unless you are in a business enterprise environment, then Windows 7  Ultimate should be your choice. The Windows 7 Enterprise features and code are the same as Windows 7 Ultimate. Windows 7 Enterprise is supported.  Code is the same as Windows 7 Ultimate.  Windows 7 Enterprise is supported.

Issue Replaced HID Prox Pro on ACX781 and still not working. Environment Continuum 1.8X ACX781 Windows XP Cause The ACX 781's cannot provide adequate power for the HID readers. Resolution Power the readers with an external power supply.

Issue ACX57xx supported communication channels  Environment CyberStation ACX5740 ACX5720 Cause Not known cause Resolution The ACX5740 and ACX5720 are ethernet devices only and can not be placed on the Infinet field bus.

Issue How to open a graphic panel using a PE program. Environment Cyberstation Pinpoint Graphic Cause What PE code is used to open a Pinpoint graphic? Resolution Use the Show command. See Cyberstation on-line help. Type Show in search box. See sample PE code in help file.

Issue Webclient fails to send alarm events (using Outlook). This happens every few days. The Windows event viewer on the IIS (Webclient) server has a few errors happening at the same time. Errors include Continuum losing connection to the database and going into 'no database mode'. Then it restores the connection after few minutes. At almost the same time an error occurs related to 'accdataservices.exe'. Also, an error occurs indicating that Outlook has failed to communicate with the exchange server. Environment Webclient v1.74, v1.81, v1.82, v1.90 MS Outlook MS Exchange Cause Continuum will randomly stop sending emails for alarms that are configured to send emails. Manually sending of emails from Outlook still works but CyberStation will not send out the message. There are no Outlook errors posted in the Windows Event Viewer and there are no Cyberstation error messages related to email. Resolution There are hotfixes, for some of the above versions, to fix this issue.  Contact Product Support Services if you need these hotfixes. Note: Versions 1.91 and higher have the updated code. 

Issue Swiping valid card immediately following a valid access at the door resets the door's strike time. Environment CyberStation ACX5740 ACX5720 CX9680 CX9900 ACX781 Cause PE programming needed to override built in behavior Resolution Continuum access controllers unlock a door for DoorStrikeTime seconds on valid access and then wait for the DoorSwitch (door contact) to report the door has been opened. Between the door unlock and the detection of door open, the controller will not process a new card swipe, but will buffer up to ONE card swipe transaction for processing at a later time. The buffered card swipe will be processed either when the door strike time expires or once the door is detected open.  When the controller detects the door open, it resets the door strike time to ONE second and immediately processes a buffered card swipe or a newly detected card swipe. If the card swipe is valid, the controller then overrides the one second strike time with the DoorStrikeTime value. The behavior explained above, allows for scenarios where many card holders file through a door in a quick manner, such as the start/end of a shift. This allows the system to process valid card swipes in a very fast way without requiring that each card holder waits for the door to re-lock after the person in front goes through. In some door configurations such as a turnstile, the above creates undesired issues with the operation of the turnstile and must be overridden so that no valid access can be processed until the system has relocked the door, after allowing a card holder through. This can be accomplished with a PE program that disables credential access at the door when the door switch reports the door open, and re-enables credential access when the door switch reports the door has closed. Sample PE code: If MainEntrance DoorSwitch = Opened then MainEntrance  DisRdrKpAccess = on else DisRdrKpAccess = off In cases where no door switch is assigned the door stays unlocked for DoorStrikeTime seconds and if a valid credential access is processed during this time the door strike will be reset to DoorStrikeTime seconds. In certain scenarios this behavior is undesirable and can be overridden using a PE program so that no valid access is allowed until the door relocks after a previous valid access transaction   SamplePEprogram   Line EnableAccess   Door1 DisRdrKpAccess = False   If Door1 ValidAccess then Goto DisableAccess   Line DisableAccess   Door1 DisRdrKpAccess = True   If TS > Door1 DoorStrikeTime then Goto EnableAccess