Building Automation Knowledge Base

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 for assistance. Issue Correcting failed links between programming objects after upgrading files from .vsd to .vsdx Product Line TAC IA Series, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/A Series WorkPlace Tech Building Operation Workstation (WorkPlace Tech Editor) Cause After existing .vsd files from pre-WorkPlace Tech 5.10 versions can have corrupted links that stay red when programming objects are added or modified. Resolution This video demonstrates how to correct binding failures that can occur when existing Visio drawings are converted from .vsd to .vsdx format when upgrading to Workplace Tech 5.10 and EBO 4.0 and newer WorkPlace Tech Editor. Note: The objects in the original drawing will no longer show a Master Shape reference (below) The frame around the object appears a little different as well.  The Mega Master will not be changed so this has no effect on the performance of these objects.

Issue Pop-up error message displayed when trying to create ContinuumDB on stand-alone system. Unable to get past this to create the database. Error message similar to below: "Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Setup The sa password must meet SQL Server password policy requirement. For strong password guidelines, see Authentication Mode, in SQL Server Books Online."   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Stand-alone SQL Express Cause When SQLExpress was installed a "strong" SA password was not defined. Resolution As per Microsoft SQL password policy Strong passwords must meet the following guidelines: The password does not contain the account name of the user. The password is at least eight characters long. The password contains characters from three of the following four categories: Latin uppercase letters (A through Z) Latin lowercase letters (a through z) Base 10 digits (0 through 9) Non-alphanumeric characters such as: exclamation point (!), dollar sign ($), number sign (#), or percent (%). Passwords can be up to 128 characters long. Use passwords that are as long and complex as possible.   To change the SQL password: Download and install management studio express. http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8961 Change SA password so that it now complies as a strong password. Find the SA user under Security\Logins. Change the Password. Run Database Initialization again and create the new database using this new SA password.

Issue Doors are going offline and online. Verification of the number of Reader Licenses purchased for an Instance Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted Software V3 Cause When adding readers to an existing site the number of subdevices and readers may exceed the number of licensed readers in the instance, so doors bounce offline/online if power is removed from existing readers. A method for verifying the number of reader licenses is needed. Resolution Steps for verifying the number of Reader Licenses for an Instance Open Access Expert and log on to the Instance Right Click on the Instance and select the Manage License option A list of licenses for each object is displayed for the current Instance Based on this information the partner/user can determine how many licenses are required Create a Purchase Order and use the needed part number for the object Example: AXH-RMC-32V3 to add additional reader licenses

Issue A combined keypad reader works with a valid card swipe, but the keypad does not work. The keypad does not allow a valid pin to be entered to engage the door output even though the door, area and personnel objects are setup correctly. This issue could also happen with a keypad only, without the combination reader. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Keypad Keypad/Reader Combination Cause A keypad or keypad/reader combination can be ordered with the keypad output set to work in a number of different modes.  Continuum requires the output mode to be ordered as follows: Buffer one key add compliment 8 bit message (Dorado) This is also known as 8 bit burst A keypad that has a different configuration than this will not work with Continuum   Resolution 1. Order a keypad or keypad/reader combination with the 8 bit burst output mode set 2. Contact the keypad manufacturer's technical support (Eg. HID), to see if they will send a Configuration Card that allows the output mode to be changed retrospectively in the field.

Issue Receive error "Property value out of range" when creating a BACnet interface on the Enterprise Server   Following problems after upgrading SmartStruxure servers to 1.5: Attaching an Automation Server to or detaching it from an Enterprise Server will fail with “Property value out of range” error. Changes to the ~/System/Interface Manager/BACnet fail to be propagated lead-shadow functions through to the child servers. Automation Server controllers dropping offline following an upgrade to 1.5 (BACnet command priority related  also may see numerous "Changeset Rollback errors") Product Line StruxureWare Building Operation 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5 and above Environment Enterprise Server (ES) BACnet IP Interface Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Cause Their may be various items that generate this error, checking the Enterprise Server (ES) system log in the Software Administrator may assist in pin pointing the error.  If you see an error that ends with ~/BACnet Interface/IP Network, then this error is generated when their is no valid IP Network.  For SmartStruxure 1.5 or above or planning to upgrade from 1.4 to 1.5 (and above)  This issue only occurs if a BACnet interface is used and the site has changed the BACnet "Default Priority Level" from the default value of 16, to 8 or a smaller numeric value in the Automation Server while running in V1.4. The "Property value out of range" message relates to the new Force priority level in 1.5 and the Default priority level in 1.4.1 being mismatched. Resolution The ES must be connected to an IP network. To resolve this error follow these steps: Close all Workstations (if running) Connect the Enterprise Server to a valid IP network (with a valid IP address). Stop and Restart the Enterprise Server service through the Software Administrator application. This should now allow the BACnet Interface to be created successfully For SmartStruxure 1.5 or above or planning to upgrade from 1.4 to 1.5 (and above) Please refer to TPA-SBO-14-0005.00 Before upgrading to 1.5 make sure the "Default Priority Level" within the Automation Server is set to 9 or higher.  If the system has been upgraded with the incorrect values, then: If the site uses single servers, or the ES/AS communication still operates correctly, then this can be corrected by changing the setting in both the AS and the ES to a value of 9 or higher.   If after upgrading a multi server configuration and the AS does not stay online, then a Hotfix can be used fix the problem using the following steps: Apply the hot fix #1.5.0.4301; available from Product Support Services Fix the multi-server (by detaching/re-attaching the servers) Correct the two properties (AS and ES). WARNING: It is essential for any BACnet system at 1.5 or later that the "Default Priority Level" must have a larger numeric value than the "Force Priority Level, otherwise some BACnet functions may not behave as expected. Note: This also applies even if the hot fix has been installed. The effects of not setting the Default above the Force Priority level are: If Force Priority Level is equal to the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of a BACnet value or a BACnet output object will cause the Value to appear Forced. This applies to the BACnet objects in both SmartStruxure servers and those in 3rd party BACnet devices.   If Force Priority Level has a larger numeric value than the Default Priority Level: Changing the Value of objects mentioned above will cause the Priority Override icon overlay to be turned on next to the Value property in the WorkStation’s property grid.   

Issue Steps on how to setup BACnet Time Synchronization to 3rd Party BACnet controllers. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Opertaion Environment SmartX Enterprise Server (ES) SmartX Automation Server (AS) BACnet Cause It is not always clear what is required to setup BACnet Time Synchronization and how to confirm that EcoStruxure Building Operation is actually performing it properly. Resolution To use the Time Synchronisation you will need to bring the 3rd Party BACnet device (Eg. Continuum bCX) under the EBO BACnet Interface -> IP Network: Go to the BACnet Interface Time Synchronization Recipients Tab. Add a new Local time synchronization recipient with the '+' button. Select recipient type as 'reference' In the Recipient device object reference field browse for your BACnet Device. Press OK and then save the changes. Right-click on the BACnet Interface and select send time sync now. This will send out an unconfirmed-req TimeSynchronization to that specific Device only.   Test Scenario with a bCX setup as a third-party BACnet controller You will see a unconfirmed-req TimeSynchronization packet being sent from the ES in WireShark but with no response from the bCX.  You may not see responses back from other 3rd party devices. The time in the bCX should be seen to change from within Continuum, (assuming it was incorrect in the first place) 

Issue Project specifications call for there to be no default administrator password in the BMS.  Can the ACC user in Andover Continuum be deleted? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Administrator password Continuum CyberStation Permissions Cause By default Andover Continuum always creates the ACC administrative user on all system but this is deemed unacceptable by some project specifications. Resolution The Andover Continuum default ACC admin user cannot be deleted, however it can be renamed and its permissions can be removed/amended.  

Issue Removing software from a PC may leave behind unused / old registry entries and folders from the removed software, this in some cases may prevent software re-installation Product Line Andover Continuum,EcoStruxure Building Operation,Satchwell BAS & Sigma,Satchwell MicroNet,TAC INET,TAC Vista Environment All supported Operating Systems Cause This is due to the windows uninstall program not fully removing all elements for the software. Some of this is due to windows thinking the the software may have been removed unintentionally and therefor all the previous settings will still be saved in case of  re-installation. For example, when SQL is uninstalled the program folders that contain the database will remain intact. This may be an issue if, for example, the software is removed due to a problem with the original installation. This is when a complete removal off all components and registry entries may be needed. Resolution The best solution for removing all the unused registry entries is to use a program designed to remove obsolete registry entries and temporary files. Some examples of these are: CCleaner, which will allow you to clean up your PC by removing past installation components. Revo Uninstaller  which is useful for removing redundant folders / files / Registry entries.   It may be useful to use both of these programs to ensure a complete cleanup. Revo Uninstaller can be used to remove unused software and then CCleaner to get rid of all the Temp files etc.  Finally remove the relevant folders from within the windows explorer, Example: C:\Program Files (x86)\Continuum Once done you should then be able to install a fresh clean copy of the application software. This solution is current in all versions of Windows including windows 10  

Issue Need information on programming holidays and special dates Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Resolution Programming Holidays and Special Dates   Overview   Holidays are exceptions to a normally scheduled interval. Feenics has made several fundamental changes to the holidays within the Keep by Feenics System. This article will walk through how the new holiday sets work and how to implement them. The holidays apply globally to all schedules.   Updating    The launch of the new holiday system requires a system upgrade within your instance. This upgrade only needs to occur once and is irreversible. To upgrade, click the "Update Holidays" button.   Note: Before you begin converting holidays, there can be no more than 8 holiday sets in the older system for the update to work.   Once that button is clicked, a warning will pop up letting you know that the process is irreversible. Click OK and your instance will be updated.     ***Note: Customers within an Enterprise instance will need to apply this update to ALL shared instances and the Enterprise instance separately.   Adding Holidays   Holidays are added to the system through the "Add Holiday Duration" button. This will add a holiday interval to the system. Holiday Durations   Holiday Durations are days in the system on which, the schedules should not activate. To add a Holiday, click "Add Holiday Duration", then name the day. This day will prevent all schedules from activating unless added to the "Always Active On" column in a schedule. Holiday durations are limited to 255 per instance.  Display Name: The name of the holiday interval, i.e. Valentine's Day, Halloween, Veterans Day. Start Date: The date the holiday interval begins on. End Date: The date the holiday interval ends on. (If the start and end date match, the holiday will be for that day only). Special Date: This flag inverts the behaviour. If this holiday interval is assigned to a schedule interval (via Holiday Groups), the schedule interval will activate for that day. Holiday Group: This selection allows the user to group holiday intervals into sets.  Tags: As in the rest of keep, tags allow for organization and permissions to be set by these groupings.   Holiday Groups   Holidays can be grouped together by using holiday groups. These groups are edited by selecting the "Edit Holiday Groups" button and modifying the Group Name. Holiday intervals are then added to the group by assigning them in the Holiday Group column of the holiday interval. ***Note: The shared holidays between groups should be in their own group. This will allow the non-shared holidays to be applied to schedules correctly.   Applying Holidays   Holidays apply globally to all schedules. A holiday Group can be added to a schedule interval to tell that interval to ignore that holiday.   ***Note: If a holiday exception is added to a schedule interval, the schedule will activate on the day of the holiday, regardless of the day selection on the schedule interval. Special Dates   Special Dates can be used to activate a schedule interval for a day or group of days regardless of the other intervals within the schedule. To add a special date, open the Holidays page and add the day(s) as a holiday interval, then check the "Special Date" box. Add the special date(s) to a group on its own.

Issue Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Details on Access Expert Keep Alert Feature Message usage Resolution The Keep Alert feature in Access Expert comes with a default 500 SMS messages a month. This can be used to send a broadcast to the users on the system. For example, if the administrator wants to send a text out to 50 people based on an event, then that would leave a total of 450 remaining.   Another use case would be if there was an active shooter at a school campus where there are 500 students, then this would be done one time and the max texts would be sent.   Additional amounts can be purchased in 500 amounts based on what the need is for the customer. so that their monthly usage stays within the amount purchased.

Issue WebClient login screen has the webClient background, but no login fields   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment webClient Cause This typically happens when webclient has been installed prior to IIS, so .Net framework does not get registered with IIS. Resolution The resolution is to run the regiis.exe command as follows: From a DOS Command Prompt (as an admin) For Windows 2000 Professional it is: "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\WinNT\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" For Windows XP Professional, Windows Server 2003 it is: "c:\windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_regiis.exe -i"   For Webclient 1.94 and above, .Net Framework 4 is used "c:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v4.0.30319\aspnet_regiis.exe -i" Once this command is run the normal login prompt will be presented.

Issue Can a listview showing access events be filtered to only show access events for a specific door? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation WebClient Cause Need to monitor access events for one specific door using a listview. Resolution Create an Access Event Listview (1), add filter if required (2) and set path (3)  Add columns and include a column for DoorId Note the full path that shows up for the door under DoorId after running the listview Edit the listview and add a filter The syntax of the filter string should be:                          (DoorId is like DoorId Path String id)   Note: The filter string will not work unless  "id" is placed at the end of the qualifier.  Also the DoorId Path string must be exactly as it appears under the DoorId column for a door event of an unfiltered event listview.

Issue Webclient Pro and Personnel versions support different features and there is a need to understand the differences Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Webclient Cause It is helpful to understand the differences between Webclient Pro and Personnel Resolution Webclient Personnel features WebClient is an application that provides you with web-enabled access everywhere, all the time. By using Internet Explorer, your authorized personnel can access the Continuum facility management system in real-time across your site’s local area network (LAN) or across your wide-area network (WAN). WebClient is either added to a LAN Andover Continuum CyberStation system or installed with a standalone CyberStation on a single PC. With the basic WebClient Personnel Manager option, your users can:    -Create, search for, edit, and delete personnel records -Change employee access privileges -View a person’s access events -View and generate reports of all access events, including area access events, access events by persons, and    distribution-event transactions via the Access Distribution View -Edit and view schedules and calendars. -Change a password.   Webclient Pro features With the advanced WebClient Pro option, your users have all the features of the basic WebClient Personnel Manager option as well as the following additional features:    -Create, run, and view graphical reports (class object Report), including bar charts, pie charts, trend charts, text    reports, and so on.  -List and view graphics and groups -View live system alarms and live events -View live video, as well as search for and view recorded video, via the class object, VideoLayout. -Search for web.Client objects by exploring a folder tree hierarchy or a network/device tree hierarchy, or by using a   text search engine  -Edit and view Loops and TrendLogs.  

Issue Is 64-bit Internet Explorer supported for use with WebClient? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment WebClient Cause The Compatibility Matrix now mentions 64-bit Internet Explorer is NOT supported as the browser for the WebClient clients Resolution IE 64-bit Support Webclient does not support 64-bit Internet Explorer with WebClient See the Cyberstation and WebClient 2.03 Compatibility Matrix - Andover Continuum - PA-00664 R2  WebClient browser support section: Only the 32-bit version of Internet Explorer - Internet Explorer 10 and 11 Compatibility View for AlarmView Be sure to turn on the Compatibility View in the separate IE browser window that displays the Alarms view. Also turn off popup blockers in the browser window. For more information on the Alarms view, see the web.Client online help   Using IE 32-bit in 64-bit Environment</strong? In a 64-bit environment, both the 64-bit and the 32-bit versions of IE10 and IE11 are installed when you install IE. 64-bit version is under "C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer" 32-bit version is under "C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer" See the following article for using Webclient with Microsoft Edge: https://community.se.com/t5/Building-Automation-Knowledge/Internet-browser-alternatives-for-accessing-Continuum-WebClient/ta-p/363440

Issue Are there drawing templates available for AS’s, modules, RPC etc for use in BMS wiring diagrams. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation equipment Cause Need for CAD drawings of PS, AS, or I/O Modules Resolution Drawings in AutoCAD format (DWG, DXF) are available on the EcoXpert Extranet. DXF files are able to be imported into Visio.

Issue Wire colour coding for the SPP110 Product Line Field Devices Environment SPP110: 004702020 004702040 004702060 004702080 004702100 004702120 004702140 Cause Wire colour coding SPP110 required. Resolution Due to supply problems, between week 23 to week 32, there was a change to the sensor's cable and the wire colours. This was implemented by the manufacturer without Schneider Electric's knowledge. So no product announcement was produced.                      Original       Week 23 to Week 32 No. Function Colour                Colour 1     Y            Brown                Green 2    GO         Black                  White 3    G            Red                    Brown   Standard                                                                                           Week 23 to Week 32   Refer to the SPP110 Pressure Transmitter Wet Media Specification Sheet for more information.   The SPP110 installation sheet showing the standard wire colouring is available here The SPP110 installation sheet showing the wire colouring is attached.

Issue Unable to connect Remote Client to Standalone Server ASTDIR error when attempting to configure I/NET is sometimes caused by not being logged in as an administrator. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven Remote Client Workstation type Cause In most cases, the issue that blocks the remote client connection is port 50069. This must be opened between the two workstations, and use an admin-level I/NET password must be used to initiate communication as well as having to be logged in as an administrator on the local machine. Resolution Log in to Windows as an administrator-level user Make sure that the I/O server is not running Open I/NET Configuration Modify the active profile or create a new one Set TCP/IP settings as well as required reference hosts For Workstation type, select Remote Client or Remote Client (w/IO) When the authentication screen comes up, enter an I/NET operator name with full access. Enter the Host name of the standalone machine functioning as the server. (IP address can be used instead) Leave Authentication Type as default. Press OK Press OK and start I/NET For more information, see Remote Client Configuration Issues I/Net 2.31 and prior and Remote Client with I/O in the Workstation Type of the I/O Server 2.4 and later.

Issue Changing the MSDE SQL Server Sys Admin account password is not supported by the I/NET Seven DbCreate Utility. Users have been advised to uninstall and then reinstall MSDE to change the password. Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Seven MS SQL Server (MSDE) Cause Need to change password Resolution Use the Microsoft OSQL Utility to change the Sys Admin account (user name, SA). Developed for Course 2002 I/NET Seven Installation and Startup - MSDE SQL Server OSQL Utility; Rev. 1/4/2007, by: M. Myers, TAC-KSG How to change your INetDb SQL Server SA account password using the OSQL Utility: On the I/NET Seven host workstation computer, shut down I/NET Seven completely, including the I/NET Seven I/O Server. Open the command prompt window. Select Windows Start > Run. Type the command, cmd, in the Run window, Open the dialog entry space, and click on OK. Enter the text exactly as is between the quotations. Connect to the I/NET Seven MSDE instance using the sa account. At the operating system drive, command prompt (i.e. C:\>), type the following OSQL command and press ENTER: osql -U sa Enter the command text exactly as it appears, including a dash before the capital U, and the spaces after the l and the U. OSQL will reply with the following prompt: Password: At the Password: prompt, type in the current SQL Server sa account password, and press ENTER. If the log-on command is correct, OSQL will return a line prompt:1>. Type the following string command at the 1> line prompt and press ENTER: sp_password @old = ‘old password‘, @new = 'new password', @loginame = 'sa' Enter the old and new passwords and the SQL System Administrator account name, sa, in apostrophes. Be sure to type each space and comma in the command. OSQL will return a second line prompt: 2> Type the go command at the 2> line prompt and press ENTER: go OSQL will return the password changed message and the 1> line prompt: Password changed.1> To close OSQL, type Exit at the 1> prompt and press ENTER. The Command Prompt will appear: C:\>_ To close the Command Prompt window, type Exit at the command prompt and press ENTER.  

Issue Lost/Forgot/Modify the SysAdmin SQL default password created during the installation of TAC Vista 5.X.X in typical mode. Product Line TAC INET, TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista 5.x.x SQL 2005 Express Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express: (http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=8961) Local Admin rights Required. Cause Procedure if SQL Password is Lost/ Forgotten or Modification required. Resolution When you click on Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express, it will open the below page and require you to choose the way you want to log in: either by “Windows Authentication” or “SQL Server Authentication”. If you want to log in using Windows Authentication, choose this option and go in. (It uses the Windows login credentials). If you want to log in using SQL Server Authentication, choose this option and enter Login and password. If you want to change this Login and Password: Enter using the Windows Authentication Choose Security > Logins > Select the login ID Right click and go to Properties Change the password and re-login using the new password. Below is an example where the password for the login 'sa' has been changed:

Issue Troubleshooting I/NET installations and upgrades on multiple client workstations. Product Line TAC I/NET Environment I/NET Seven Multi-workstation Site Cause Options to investigate when unable to install I/NET Software on some PCs Resolution Difficulty loading I/NET Software onto a PC where the site has several PCs, and the software will load on one and not the other hardware. The steps below are intended to be used as a checklist and Compare the differences between working and non-working PCs: Is the memory the same? Is the OS the same or different? Is the OS Configured the same? Does it meet the minimum requirement for I/Net and its applications? TCON298 What are the permissions for the Logged in User? Does the user have full Admin-Rights to perform the applicable installation? Is I/Net being installed for the first time, or is it an upgrade? At what point during the installation does it fail on one versus the other? Are any error logs being generated during the process? Can any other software be installed? Are there any previously loaded applications using a SQL/MSDE DataBase? Has the IP/network/domain status changed? Going through the above steps will help rule out some possibilities.