Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When saving a PE program that uses embedded Continuum functions such as SendEmail() , it errors when checking / compiling the program and shows the error message of "Unsupported feature".   Environment Netcontroller (CX9xxx) InfinetController(i1 , i2xxx) BACnet controller (BCX, b4920, b3xxx) Cause This happens when using the controller specific functions such as SendEmail() in the Program object not the InfinityProgram object. Resolution Create a new InfinityProgram object in the controller , copy the source code and save.  It will check successfully and save the program in the controller. After it is saved successfully, delete the problematic Program object from the controller.

Issue Error Generating License Request Cookie, Error code 0x1009 when generating license request under Windows 7 Generating a license request for the BACnet Service Tool under Windows 7 requires string value in the window's registry. Environment Windows 7 BACnet Service Tool Cause Windows 7 environment Resolution Follow the following procedure to add a new String Value for the ProductId. Click on the windows start button and enter regedit in the 'Search programs and files' field. Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows. (for 32 bit machine). For 64 bit machine expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows. Right click on CurrentVersion and create a new String Value. Change the default name to ProductId and put any string in the value. NOTE: After the tool generates the license request, the path given to the location of the file must be pre-pended with C:\Users\usernamehere\AppData\Local\VirtualStore

Issue When running a batch file to run an application located at C:\ from a Workstation program, Windows 7 attempts to run the application in the following location. c:\progra~1\mocros~1\office14>plink.exe Environment Windows 7 CyberStation WebClient Shell Batch Cause Cannot successfully launch external application via a batch file using Plain English Shell command. Resolution Begin the batch file by specifying the fill path location.  For example: --------------------------------------- CD\ plink.exe ---------------------------------------

Issue Can the Roam IO/2 be used to create points in a controller? Environment Roam IO/2 Cause Ability to create points with the Roam IO/2 Resolution The Roam IO/2 device cannot be used to create points, but is designed to modify attributes of points that have been created by the Continuum system.

Issue There are times when random events require adding an exception for an Infinity schedule for the 2nd and 4th Thursday only The recurrence may also be for a certain day, week, month or year. Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Bacnet schedules/calendars and programs like Microsoft Outlook allow scheduling for the 2nd and 4th Thursday, so it seems like this should be allowed in the Infinet schedules. Resolution In Infinity type schedules contained in Netcontrollers and infinet devices, there isn't a way to automatically ask the schedule to come on at a given time based on the 2nd or 4th Thursday, i.e. a recurrence of a day, week, month or year. The specific date needs can be accessed by the yearly view and configured manually.

Issue Is it necessary to create a separate network for a site even if it is the only site outside of the eastern time zone? Environment Continuum UTC Time Zone Continuum Networks Cause Site is in a different time zone than the rest of the sites on the being brought into the Continuum system. Resolution While schedules can be mitigated locally and alarms be stamped with the time of occurrence with respect to the local time zone, neither of these are optimal ways to run Continuum.  Extended logs are not manageable when points are being logged in a controller in time zone A and then downloaded by a Cyberstation in time zone B. For this reason it is not advisable to have controllers that reside in different time zones under one Continuum Network.  Note: Extended logs are stored in the db with UTC time stamp and are interpreted by Cyberstation via reports or groups.

Issue A BCX PE program does not read / mirror value from its child 3rd party MSTP device (ALC IO6126).  The exact same PE program in workstation reads / mirrors value from the same 3rd party MSTP device correctly. When the PE uses just ReadProperty(BACnetDevices\BNet_2778\Dev100\Supply_temp), controller error log file shows message of "  0x8000001e - BACnet request timeout " & " 0xfffd001f -  BACnet error ".   Environment BACnet (BCX4040) ,  3rd party MSTP device ( ALC IO 6126 / IO6126 / Viconics ) Cause Case#1) The BCX's Foreign Device configuration page ( Foreign Device table ) was set up to have an IP address of a BBMD BCX on the same IP subnet by mistake. Case#2) The MSTP devices are consuming MSTP network resource by trying to send the token to non-existing MSTP device all the way up to ID127 as the BACMaxMaster attribute is set to 127. Resolution Case#1) BCX's Foreign Device Configuration / Table should be set up to have the IP address of the BBMD on the different IP subnet ( not the BBMD on the same IP subnet ).  Remove and zero out the Foreign Device Table of the problematic BBMD.  Case#2) Change the BACMaxMaster from the default value of 127 to the MacAddress of the last MSTP device on the network.

Issue After a CX99xx is updated for SNMP option enabled, the hyper terminal screen does not show the SNMP option setting button when the hyper terminal PC is indirectly connected to the target CX99xx via other local CX99xx. Environment NetController (CX9900, CX9940) Cause This issue happens when the hyper terminal PC is indirectly connected to the target CX99xx via other local CX99xx. Resolution After successful update the CX OS file for SNMP, connect the hyper terminal PC directly to the target CX99xx.

Issue Where to find a sample XSLT file for the Personnel Import Utility Environment CyberStation PIU Personnel Import Utility Cause Not known cause Resolution CyberStation online help includes a sample XSLT file for the PIU. In the CyberStation's Online Help index tab enter 'XSLT File' In the Topics Found window select 'Sample XSLT file' and click the Display button.

Issue Need to add new generation of Infinet controller(s) to existing NetController with old system such as Infinity system with SX8000 and Continuum 1.4 or older version. Environment Continuum ,   SX8000 Net Controller / NetController (CX9900 , CX9940 , CX9000 , CX9200 , CX9400 , CX9702 ) Infinet controller (i2 controller , i1 controller) Cause Older version of Continuum (v1.4 and older) and Infinity system (SX8000) does not  provide controller type of i2 controller when you create Infinet controller under NetController. Resolution The i2 controller (including i286x–V models) can be used as direct replacements for existing Continuum VAV controllers on all versions of Continuum and SX8000 installations.  Select the controller type of the same model number. I.e. : For i2865-V , select TCX865 .

Issue MFC errors or Continuum crashes when trying to start after moving a database to another PC Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The startup attempts to resolve the Workstation instance in the database and if it can't you will receive MFC errors or Continuum will crash. Resolution Ensure that the sp_changedbowner 'andover97' query was run against the database on the new PC. Perform a Workstation initialization by taking the following steps: Start Database initialization> Select Workstation Fill out the appropriate fields under General and Database This should bring you back to the Database Initialization screen if it resolves all the fields properly Launch Continuum and now the error should be resolved

Issue When you order a bCX1 (Both 9640 and 4040) the number of controller nodes shown in the options page is 1 more that the ordered part. Environment bCX1 9640 & 4040 Cause When you order an 8 node controller it will support up to 9 nodes 32 node controllers support up to 33 nodes etc Resolution All bCX1 controllers are shipped with an additional node to allow for the RoamIO to be used on either their MS/TP or Infinet network. The RoamIO uses 1 node to connect to the network. When designing a system 1 additional node should always be left available for the RoamIO to be connected. At times it may be necessary to offline edit to add the last (8th) node

Issue Method to load controller dump file (.DMP) or Personnel import file (.CSV) into Continuum from a DOS command line.  (LOAD CMDLINE.EXE PE) Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Need to import data into Continuum automatically on a regular basis. Resolution This will be a two stage process, a program in the Cyberstation (Workstation) that uses the "Load" command and a trigger from outside Continuum using CMDLINE.EXE.   1. Workstation Program Use a variation of the following Fall thru program to import your dump file into Continuum. ===== Start Code ============== 'Fallthru Program created in Cyberstation. 'Called manually from command line "run LoadDumpFile" line 1 print "Line 1 - got here, going to line 2 - ", date goto 2 line 2 print "Line 2 - got here, attempting to load file" load "c:\CntrlDump.dmp" -o -x print "Line 2 - end - check distribution properties for status" ===== End Code ================   2. Trigger to run program. As for the CMDLINE.EXE options, options used for the ReportCmdLine.exe program and have successfully run the CSV import program from an MSDOS command line. At the DOS prompt type the below. This produces the same result as performing "run LoadDumpFile" at the Continuum command line: "C:\Program Files\Continuum>cmdline.exe" /o Root\FoderForWks253\LoadDumpFile /u acc /o switch is the location of the object in Continuum. /u is the Continuum user that has access.

Issue There are several workstations in a LAN network. Some workstations can display correctly in the Continuum explorer object tree, but some workstations can not. All of the workstations can display in the listview. All the devices can do teach correctly. Environment Windows XP Sp3 Continuum 1.92 Cause The outofservice check box has been checked Resolution From the listview, select the workstation which can't display correctly Right click on the workstation and select open From the general page, uncheck outofservice Restart Continuum.

Issue In Pinpoint, display the Photo of the person who has just swiped a card so it can be compared to a live image. Environment Continuum Cyberstation all versions Cause It is not clear how to dynamically update a Pinpoint graphic to show the last person entered Resolution In Pinpoint Edit mode, from the Active Components menu select the "Personnel Picture" or select the “Active Personnel Picture” from the Active Components toolbar. A Grey "Personnel Picture" box will appear on the page, this can be moved/ sized as required. Animate this to the Door required and use the door attribute “LastPersonEntrd” this will update the photo on each card swipe. If required you can define a fade delay time in seconds back to a default image.

Issue What personnel attributes are exposed to Plain English in the controller, which work for elevator access control? Environment CyberStation ACX controllers CX controllers with AC-1 family Cause What personnel attributes are exposed to Plain English in the controller, which work for elevator access control? Resolution DepartmentCode is the only personnel attribute in Continuum that works well in a small elevator application. There are some sample PE files on The Exchange Download Center. Once you get beyond a few floors and cabs with varying access for cardholders it is unmanageable. Use the Continuum Reports Elevator Control Add-On.  Learn more about Andover Continuum Elevator Control Features.

Issue If a controller will be offline for an extended period of time, is there a way to make it not show up in the Alarm View as offline? Environment CyberStation Network level controllers (CX, ACX, bCX) Cause If a controller will be offline for an extended period of time, is there a way to make it not show up in the Alarm View as offline? Resolution Edit the controller and on the general tab select the "Out of Service" checkbox. This sets the "To State" in the Active Alarm View to "Return to Normal" and the Value to "Out of Service". It also relieves the workstations from the task of probing and looking for a response to a probe until the out of service flag is removed.

Issue Customer wants to email alarms from standalone CyberStation. IT dept will not allow use of corporate Exchange Server. Partner added MS Exchange and MS Outlook to the PC running CyberStation. Outlook can send email but CyberStation will not send email alarms. Environment Standalone CyberStation v1.93 MS Exchange and Outlook Cause With MS Exchange and MS Outlook on the PC running CyberStation, CyberStation will not send email alarms. Resolution After confirming and reconfirming that the email setup was "by the book" but CyberStation still would not email alarms, the partner moved CyberStation and Outlook to another PC and left MS Exchange on the first PC. Emailing alarms is now working fine. We do not know definitively that all three cannot reside on the same machine, but it looks that way.

Issue Continuum is configured with a separate Continuum Network for each time zone.  However, when a workstation in one time zone sets the time in a controller in another time zone to the current time, the UTC offset does not adjust the time by the number of hours difference between the two zones. Environment Cyberstation Time Zones Continuum Networks UTC Time Synchronization Cause Need to synchronize controller times across multiple time zones. Resolution The local time for controllers in each Continuum network must be set by a workstation program.  Controller times are set on each Continuum Network by setting the time in the Infinity Controller with the lowest ACCI ID.  This is done using a Plain English program in the workstation.  All other Infinity Controllers will automatically synchronize the time and date to the controller with the lowest ACC ID. If the workstation and the Continuum Controller are in different time zones, the program must compensate for the time difference by calculating the controllers local time from the workstations local time.   This does not happen automatically. This is because the value that is being set in the controller is the system variable that represents the controllers local time and date, and not some external time and date.

Issue What schedule attribute can be used to get the Next Occupancy Time & Next Unoccupancy Time on my graphics? Environment Continuum CyberStation PinPoint Schedule Cause Need to display a schedules Next Occupancy Time on a PinPoint graphic. Need to make a calculation using a schedules Next Occupancy Time in a Plain English Program. Resolution For a Continuum schedule those values will be accessible via the date times that are attached to the Occupancy Time  and UnOccupancy Time fields in the schedule. These fields update with the next time when the current occupancy period expires. The "TimePiece" Plain English keyword can be used to extract the different parts of the Date time value i.e. the Month, Hour etc. See Online help for formatting.