Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue Will I/NET access control work with retina, palm or fingerprint readers? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET 2000 I/NET Seven Cause Access controls can use different forms of identifying individual users. Newer readers can scan retinas, palms, and finger prints. Resolution I/NET will work with bio scanners, provided they send a data string of the supported Wiegand bit rate for the version and firmware of I/NET in use, and it is in the order expected. Refer to BioScrypt V-Pass-2 (Biometric) Reader in I/NET Seven for an example or contact Product Support for more details.

Issue After configuring an I/NET workstation to connect as a Remote Client the I/NET Configuration profile editor does not start. INetCfg.exe appears in the Windows Task manager processes but no application user interface (GUI) is displayed. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.13 and above configured as Remote Client Cause I/NET Configuration profile editor attempts to connect to its active profile database server, if this is not active it will sit and wait for the database server to become active before displaying the I/NET Configuration Profiles user interface (GUI). Resolution It is possible to change the default (or active) profile, provided you have more than one configuration profile.  This is achieved by changing the following settings in the registry. If you only have one profile on your I/NET workstation, you could export a known working profile from another I/NET workstation.  Refer to the following Exporting/Importing Configuration Profiles for the procedure to do this. Ensure that the INetCfg.exe application is not running in the processes, if it is then use the Windows Task Manager to check and end the process before proceeding with the following steps: From the Windows Start menu select RUN Enter in the command regedit Locate the Registry Key > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE> SOFTWARE> CSI - Control Systems International> I/Net 2000> Configurations> In this container (Configurations) there is String named "Active" this should display the name of the active profile been used by I/NET. Edit this string to another profile that exists, typically the initial profile called "Config1" is the safest. Close the Registry Editor Run up I/NET Configuration – the profile editor should now start and display the Active configuration you selected above. Modify the profile you wish to use Ensure that the Database Server name is now local to your machine name or is online. If not you can edit this my selecting the Connection Button within the profile.  Make any necessary changes required to the profile Select OK. Ensure the profile you modified is now made active Close the I/NET Configuration Profiles editor and I/NET is now ready to run.

Issue What is LANMon and how do I use it? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Controller LAN 78010 Model TAP Cause Further analysis is required to establish physical layer (LAN) issues, which may include some of the following: Abnormally large number of LAN Reconfigure messages Controllers going offline individually or in groups and sometimes all together Large numbers of Station Lost/Restore Messages Frequent problems connecting to controllers and data interruption It is strongly recommended that you look at these issues prior to using LANMon.  Refer to I/NET Physical Layer Issues for rectification and recommendations of these Physical Layer Issues. Another form of analysis is to look at your Processor and LAN loading for each of your controller LAN devices.  Refer to I/NET Configuration Status parameters: Processor Loading and LAN Loading (Percentages (%)) for further information on this. Resolution LANMon 3.0 is a utility program used to perform communications capture and analysis functions on the I/NET controller network. The LANMon utility consists of a firmware program which is executed on a 78010 Tap and a .EXE program which is run on a PC. The Tap running the LANMon firmware connects to the RS485 I/NET controller LAN and listens to the communications traffic on the LAN. The Tap receives and translates the communications to a continuous ASCII stream of data which it sends to the LANMon PC using the RS232 channel. Download TCON301 which describes the installation, configuration and operation of LANMon. Click here to download the LANMon application. EPROM is available through either your logistic channels (Australia Only) or alternatively refer to Using the LANMON 3 tool with a 78010 TAP with a MIP01 board attached on how to use a MIP01 to achieve the same function. After capturing your LANMon files, you can then send your captured files to Product Support for further analysis if required or use Decoding LANMON 3 errors to assist in decoding the capture. Below is an image showing the basic LANMon equipment:

Issue  All time schedules on site did not start. What is the difference between "Global Special Day Broadcast" and "Special Day Broadcast" in the Network Functions? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven 2.xx and greater Cause Special days are incorrectly configured in the controllers special day calendar as permanent, or are not re-entered each year. Resolution There are two types of broadcast settings available under the Network Functions, Special Day Broadcast option in I/NET. Using the 'Special Day' broadcast setup in the Network Functions allows only a single temporary 'special day' entry to be sent to selected controllers saved in your network configuration (Netcon). Using the "Global" special day broadcast the entire special days calendar to the selected controllers in your network configuration (Netcon).  The entries in this calendar can be selected as either temporary or permanent. Refer to TCON299 TAC I/NET Seven Operator Guide 5/10 Chapter 2-34 (Network Functions – Special Day Broadcast) available on your installed I/NET workstation or from the Download Center). Also refer to Time Schedules through Special Days Button.

Issue In some projects there is demand for time synchronization for I/NET system. Unlike other Xenta Servers, Xenta 527 NPR does not have an entry for setting up an NTP server on the webpage of the controller. Product Line TAC INET Environment Xenta 527 NPR Cause Xenta 527 NPR is just the IP router for I/NET system. So the web page of it is simpler than the one of other Xenta servers. Resolution We can set the NTP server for Xenta 527 NPR through HyperTerminal. Refer to Connecting a serial cable to a Xenta 5/7/9xx controller for how to use HyperTerminal to configure Xenta 527 NPR. After entering Xenta 527 NPR by typing username and password, type the command "time_date". Then type "timesynch" command. There will be several options for it: Set whether to let Xenta 527 NPR act as NTP server. For this parameter, just leave default. Assign the IP address of the NTP server. Set the refresh interval. After these parameters are set, restart the controller. After the refresh time passed, it will synchronize the time with the NTP server.  

Issue New PCs do not come with any version of SQL installed and would have to get an instance if the user is installing I/Net version 2.42. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET version 2.42 on Windows 7 PCs. Cause Newer PCs that are being purchased do not come with any SQL on them and in order to install 2.42, an instance needs to be installed on the PC prior to installing I/NET. Resolution Go to the Microsoft Website and download the free version of SQL 2008 R2 Express Edition Follow the instructions on SQL 2008 Install Tips  Install version 2.42.

Issue Trying to run DBCreate and the Windows Authentication does not allow me to login and sysadmin (sa) password not known. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Windows XP / Windows 7 Cause This is normally related to the logged in user not having either Administrative privileges to the PC and / or the correct access privileges to the SQL Server.    Resolution The best solution is to verify / modify the logged in account is part of the Administrator group and that the Administrator group has access rights to the SQL Server database(s). Another solution would be to change / modify the sysadmin (SA) password and use the SQL Server authentication. Refer to Changing the MSDE SQL Server Sys Admin account password is not supported by the I/NET Seven DbCreate Utility or Lost/ Forget/ Modify the SysAdmin SQL default password created during the installation of TAC Vista 5.X.X in typical mode on how to achieve this. Caution: Note that changing this password may impact on other applications using SQL Server.  Both of these solutions may also require IT personnel to get involved.  A possible workaround maybe to run the application at a higher authority level.  To do this perform the following steps: Windows XP: Locate Application, in this case DBCreate within Start > Programs> INET Right-Click on DBCreate - Database Create Utility shortcut and select the option "Run as.." Login with the Administrator or known user with administrator privileges Connect using > Windows Authentication should now be possible Windows7: Locate Application, in this case DBCreate within Start (Windows7 icon) > All Programs > INET Right-Click on DBCreate - Database Create Utility shortcut and select "Run as administrator" option From DBCreate application Connect using > Windows Authentication should now be possible

Issue Continuum / Vista / I/NET / StruxureWare etc will not connect to any of the controllers on the LAN when using a Windows 7 and above PC. Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment I/NET 2.4x Continuum Vista StruxureWare Windows 7 8 8.1 10 Cause This is due to Microsoft improving their security in Windows 7 and above that will now block many types of connections across a network. Resolution To enable communications across the network; Disable all firewalls and any Anti-Virus software on the PC. (SE laptops, right click on McAfee shield, Quick settings and un-tick everything, this will temporarily disable the AV and firewall) Disable User Administrator Control (UAC) (As per Disabling administrator rights messages in Windows 7 OS and above) Re-install I/NET Seven / Continuum / Vista etc

Issue Creating a backup file to download into the controller so it can be extracted at a later date if needed. Extracting and restoring a backup file from a Xenta Server. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment XBuilder 5.x.x Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause If the XBuilder project is not set up to send project backup file to target device, you will not be able to extract a backup in the future. On site technicians will be unable to service the XBuilder project if they do not have the original project stored on their PC. Resolution To create a backup to store in the Xenta Server When creating an XBuilder project, check the box titled “Send Project backup file to target device”. If space requirements are an issue, then this option may cause storage overruns. See The size of the generated project is xxxx KB, which exceeds the maximum size of 8192 KB. For an existing XBuilder project, on the menu bar go to Project > Settings… to access this feature. To extract a backed up project from a Xenta Server Connect to the Xenta Server on the 10Base-T port Verify ethernet communications (ping) Open XBuilder Go to Project > Get from Target...

Issue Can not connect a SCU controller directly to a Xenta Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET controllers Xenta controllers Cause No Communication between a Xenta and a SCU controller. A SCU controller can not communicate directly to a Xenta because they speak different protocols. Resolution There must be an interface between an SCU and a Xenta controller, like a 7798C controller for example. The 7798C translates communications from a Sublan to a CLan. It also has a database that keeps track of rules set up by the admin. For a deeper understanding please review Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication.

Issue AMT messages: Ind. D/L failed & DCU Queue ovflw Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Download failed Queue Overflow Cause Failure to communicate in C-LAN and SubLan Resolution For the Ind. D/L failed message in AMT, as well as SCU Lost, is from the Host Workstation. It is telling us that there was an error in downloading individual's information to the SCU. Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication has a drawing of a simple INET network, and how it is connected with labels for the names to help with understanding and terminology. Please note the resistors mentioned and make sure your site has these. Firmware: Check to make sure the same Firmware revision for the INET version you are running is in all the controllers. The DCU7798C is experiencing communication failure. Take a moment to check this as well as from 7798C to the SCU, check the resistors which are shown in the drawing, check the wiring, firmware, etc. That will resolve this failure. If you look closely at the screen shot, it even shows this is a door controller with exceptionally poor communication to the 7798C. It shows the door points. This shows you where to start with the troubleshooting. Distance: What is the distance between the controllers? I recommend the resistors on long runs or if you have a lot of controllers. If you have more than these two or they are a long way apart, then resistors, yes. If they are 2 meters from each other and it is just these two, then not that critical. The issue appears to be with the CLAN. The pulling down the communication is producing these errors. Check to make sure the wires are protected in conduits and not running along side power or Power-Over-Ethernet, or ballasts. These items can cause interference, which can cause this failure. Earth Ground: Is the issue on one or between two 7798Cs that are wired the same way? The second 7798C is probably giving the problems. The issue is no earth ground wire on the three terminal power plug. This is the ground that is used on the CLAN comm circuit. There will be LAN Reconfiguration from ALM, the second 7798C is failing on the CLAN communications.

Issue Under multiple PC environments, the time of a DCU changes automatically for a specific period. The time of the Server/Filemaster is correct. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Multiple PCs environment Cause For multiple PC environments, the time setting of each PC does not synchronize. The time of Server/Filemaster is correct, but the time of Remote Client/Equalized Client may be not correct. If there is a DCU Synchronization function set on the Remote Client/Equalized Client, the wrong time will synchronize to the DCU for specific period set in the function of DCU Synchronization. Resolution Synchronize the time on Remote Client/Equalized Client with Server/Filemaster through NTP or manually. The other way is only to set DCU Synchronization function on Server/Filemaster, not on Remote Client/Equalized Client. The NTP as of March 1, 2013 no longer works. See Time sync is no longer working for suggestions

Issue A message stating the PC's "Resources are Low" is being displayed. These hosts are running Windows 95 and Windows 98. Product Line A message stating the PC's "Resources are Low" is being displayed. These hosts are running Windows 95 and Windows 98. Environment Older I/NET site Windows 95 Windows 98 Cause Older computer running I/NET and Windows OS Resolution Go to Window's Task Manager to find what is running in addition to Windows and I2K. These additional tasks need to be eliminated. Check the performance settings located in Windows Control Panel > System > Performance Tab. Make sure these hosts meet the minimum INET 2000 requirements. Refer to the Getting Started TCON in TCON Number and Title Cross Reference (with links) for specifications.

Issue Cable needed to Direct connect a Laptop or Desktop to a PCU Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site Cause The first asynchronous port (P4) provides an RS232 port for direct connection to a PC or external direct dial (Hayes) modem. The RS232 port’s baud rate is set using the HHC. Resolution CBL072 for a 9-pin PC connection CBL073 for a 25-pin PC connection Refer to TCON 096 For CBL072 information, please refer to Cable Connectivity to I/NET.

Issue Upgrading the operating system (OS) to Windows 7 on an old PC. Product Line Andover Continuum, Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Older PC's Windows 7 Cause Some older PC's are not suitable for upgrading to Windows 7. Resolution When considering upgrading to Windows 7 with an older PC, it must be first checked for suitability. Run the Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor before upgrading. To review the Schneider Electric Software and Firmware compatibility matrix please see Software and Firmware compatibility matrix for older versions of the traditional product lines.

Issue Utilize the RS-232 port to send text out to a third party device such as CCTV Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Cause Integration Assistance Resolution This V-Doc describes the way text output can be set up in I/NET to be sent out to third party hardware such as CCTV through the RS-232 port. The port that will be used for this application cannot be one that is already being used by the serial port section, A/C reader port, or printer port in the peripheral section of the configuration profile.   For the guide of integration with Pelco analog matrix, refer to How to integrate I/NET with Pelco Analog Matrix.

Issue What is an MCI? Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET site Cause This interface supports a mixture of up to 64 MRs, ASCs, and DP family controllers. Resolution This stands for Micro Controller Interface. This unit provides a control interface that can integrate MRs and DPUs on the same subLAN. See Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication for further explanation.

Issue Equalize Client does not work in Windows 7 64-bit with I/NET 2.42 Product Line TAC INET Environment Windows 7 64-bit I/NET 2.42 Cause It could possibly be related to the Windows Firewall settings. But typically it is due to the differences between the installed 32-bit version of SQL and the 64-bit operating system. Resolution Make sure that the Windows Firewall is not set to block the connection The SQL 2008 Express that is included on the I/NET Seven CD is a 32-bit version. If you are running a Windows 7 64-bit OS, then this involves going to the Microsoft Web Site and downloading the SQL 2008 R2 Express.  The MS site link to this is: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3743 The file you need to load is: SQLEXPR_x64_ENU.exe To verify what version of SQL 2008 is loaded on the PC: Go into DbCreate Select the “About” Option If the SQL listed here IS NOT the 64-bit version, un-install I/NET Seven and SQL 2008 Express. Do not forget in Window Explorer that there are TWO Programs Files Folders on the root directory you have to remove. If the SQL 2008 is NOT correct, then go to Step 3. If the SQL is the correct version then proceed to Step 4. NOTE: If you need to upgrade the SQL Server versions (including Service Packs) make sure you force an Upgrade (via DBCreate) to ensure the I/NET database now conforms the version of SQL installed.   Once you copy the SQL on to the PC then follow the Steps outlined in Installing I/NET Seven on a 64-bit operating system. This will guide you through loading the SQL2008 R2 Express and the I/Net Seven rev 2.42 and above. Make sure that the PC you are working on you have Windows "Local Admin" Rights On a Windows 7 64-bit PC there are two C:\Program Files\Inet Seven folders located on the root directory. One of the folders, C:\Program Files\Inet Seven, you should ONLY see three files in this folder. These are:  IEShims.dll, INetEqzCR.dll, INetEqzMerge In C:\Program Files\Inet Seven (x86), you should see all the normal I/Net Seven files and the DOC folder. Please note that the INetEqzMerge does not exist in this folder. You should NEVER copy it in this folder. You need to verify that the InetEqzMerge is listed in the Windows Services directory. If this file does exist, make sure that the properties are set to the Automatic mode. If not, set it to Automatic mode and reboot the PC. If by chance the “INetEqzMerge” does not exist in the Windows Services, you need to do the following steps to get this corrected. INetEqzMerge Fix: Load I/NET Seven CD into the PC and start Windows Explorer. Then open the CD to this location (For I/NET 2.45 or later version, they are located under CD\program files\INET Seven\INSTALL_64BIT): Click on the file shown above, this will activate the 64-bit install process again. Please note after you run this program you must reboot the PC After the reboot process, go to the Services editor and verify that the INetEqzMerge did install. Make sure that this file is in the Automatic mode. If it is not, choose the Automatic mode, and reboot the PC again. Now you can Promote the Equalized Client PC. If Manual mode is used for the promotion process, it works better than the Default mode. Also, use the IP address of the File Master instead of the PC Name.

Issue Unable to Upload or display point data on an I/NET Controller in StruxureWare Workstation Environment I/NET to StruxureWare Integration Cause The most common cause for I/NET controllers to not integrate with StruxureWare are duplicate point names or illegal characters in use Resolution In Building Operation Workstation, right click on the errant I/NET controller and select "Upload" This is expected to fail at this point Browse to the Enterprise Server Directory as displayed in Building Operation Software Administrator Look in the db/Logs folder Locate the trace log and open it using a text editor scroll to the last line of the log and look for an entry that contains inet information. If the error is caused by duplicate point names, this will be the trace log entry: 2014-01-30 20:00:25.587 [6220] nsp.pin.inet.GetAllPoints InetPlugIn::ProcessChangeSetList failed RecoverableException: d:\dev\rb-int-v140-sp1-system\source\packages\commons\components\C3Po\nsp_servers\csc\changesetmanager\source\ChangeSetTransaction.cpp(987) Error: Object_Already_Exists (0x40006), module Runtime_Db_Manager(41), moduleCode 0, dispString "~/INET Interface/0321 - SBOtester/Point1", techString "" Note the text dispString "~/INET Interface/0321 - SBOtester/Point1", techString "" This indicates that there is a point on the controller named "Point1" which is causing the error Option 1: In I/NET workstation, connect to the controller Rename the point indicated above Perform a station save and attempt to upload the controller again. If it fails a second time, repeat steps 3-10 until you have removed all illegal entries Option 2: Use RdInet to view the Save file. Click on Save Page Open the .csv file in Excel and sort the data by Name Locate the Point indicated above and notice that there will be 2 objects of the same name. In I/NET identify these 2 points. Very likely, one will not actually exist. Copy the Point that exists to the address that was indicated as a duplicate in Excel Delete the newly created point to permanently remove the object from the .sav file. Perform a station save and attempt to upload the controller again. Repeat this process if necessary.

Issue When creating a Modbus device template in XBuilder Device Editor which Modbus register data type should be used? Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment Xenta Servers Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 XBuilder Modbus Register Bitmask Cause Lack of consistency between Modbus slave manufacturers there is a large number of data formats that can be selected. Each register format interprets the value differently based on byte order or purpose of the specific bits. Resolution Consult Modbus slave product documentation Use trial and error to find the correct register format. Perform communication logging to capture the raw data and compare with a known value to determine the format. As a tool to assist with these steps please consult the Definition of Modbus Registers.