Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue When a Vista trend is added manually or using the Trend Wizard on completion of the process the error massage  "Invalid Entrance" is displayed. Environment Vista 5.0.3 and Windows Server 2003. Vista Master and Slave configuration. Cause The trend is being added in the Master Vista Server and the point is in a Slave Vista database. Resolution To add a Vista trend log of a point residing in a Slave Vista sever use the following steps. Log onto the Vista Slave server. Add a new or use an existing directory (ensure this folder is visible to the Vista Master Server) that has been created on the Vista Slave. Add your Vista trend either using the trend wizard or manually.

Issue Is it possible to set a delay on a change of state object in Vista? Environment TAC Vista 5.1.5 Cause Need to set a delay on a change of state object in Vista Resolution No it is not possible.

Issue Vista Change of State object  monitoring an I/NET point value are in Alarm  but not changing state or getting through to Vista Alarm queue. Environment I/NET point monitoring Vista Alarm Queue Xenta Server Alarms I2V Cause Incorrect settings of the I/NET point Watch Status, and Vista Change of State object. Resolution There are a few settings unique to I/NET points that have to be properly modified in order for an Alarm to be passed into the Vista Workstation Alarm queue. In Workstation, navigate from your Xenta Server to the input/output point generating the Alarm in I/NET. Right click on the point and select Properties.  Set the Watch Setting to "Alarm". Navigate to the Change of State object that is referencing the I/NET point to create the alarm. Right click on the Change of State object and select properties. Set the Alarm triggering text field to the value expected in alarm condition, i.e. 1. Set the Alarm resetting text field to the value expected in back to normal, i.e. 0. Toggle the I/NET point manually into alarm and return to normal once to verify the alarm is in the queue.

Issue Having trouble Linking to a File from a TMGL Graphics page in Vista Workstation Environment TGML Vista Workstation Cause Most likely cause is not using the correct button type or script feature.  Below is the most basic means to link to a file. Resolution Add the "FileButton" object found in the Basic Controls Component Library to the TMGL file Select the object In the Properties Window, scroll down to the heading "Custom" and the property "File" Type in the complete path and filename. Example C:\Vista_Files\TGML.pdf Save the TGML graphics page Test the link in Vista workstation

Issue User limitations in a Xenta Server Environment Xenta Server Cause Setting up User rights on a Xenta Server Resolution Web Users: Web Users are created only from the Web Interface, not XBuilder The limitation on web users is based only on available controller memory A normal user should use less than 100 bytes Excess numbers of users will limit your potential use of controller memory Simultaneous Users: In XBuilder, click on the Xenta Server object Scroll down to TCP/IP Settings and select "Max. number of HTTP sessions" the default if 15, but this number can be modified to between 10 and 20 users. FTP Users: In XBuilder, click on the Xenta Server object Scroll down to FTP settings and select "Max Users" The default number is 4, and the maximum is 5 users.

Issue Get the following error message when trying to access TAC Vista Webstation on a Windows 2008 server: HTTP Error 500.22 - Internal Server Error An ASP.NET setting has been detected that does not apply in Integrated managed pipeline mode. Environment Vista 5.1.5 Windows 2008 server Webstation 5.1.5 Cause TAC Vista webstation can not handle "Managed Pipeline Mode" integrated for the application pool in the IIS. Resolution Open IIS Click on Application Pool For the Application pool used by Vista webstation set it to "Classic" instead of "Managed Pipeline Mode" 

Issue Vista compatibility for video integration in Workstation. Product Line Pelco, TAC Vista Environment Vista Workstation Integral Digital Sentry 4.1/4.2, 7 Cause To pull video into a Vista Workstation front end, the digital recorder software version must be of the correct type and version. Resolution Download TAC Vista Compatibility Matrix for a complete list of Vista compatibility.  < <   5.1.8 5.1.7 5.1.6 5.1.5 5.1.4 5.1.3 5.1.2 5.1.1 5.1.0 5.0.3 5.0.2 5.0.1 5.0.0 Integral Digital Sentry 4.1/4.2 X X X X X X X X X         Integral Digital Sentry 7 X X X X X                   Only Pelco Integral Digital Sentry DVRs are compatible. Individual DVRs are not listed for Vista compatibility because Vista is actually communicating with the Digital Sentry software, which is running as a Video Server.  Ensure the software version is Digital Sentry 4.1, 4.2, or 7, depending on the Vista version.

Issue Components library disappearing if the TGML graphic editor is closed and then reopened. When adding a custom folder to the components library, the new folder shows up in the graphic editor, but if the editor is restarted, they disappear. Environment Vista TGML Editor Cause TGML can not handle a dot "." in the naming When creating a folder in My components its important to not have a "." dot in the name. When restarting the editor it will try to reread the folders but will stop because of the "." To correct this remove the "." in the name of the folder Resolution Remove all dot's in the name of the Components folder Wrong: My own components V2.0 Right: My own components V2

Issue The "Log Backup" tab doesn't appear under the "properties" dialogue window for Vista Server. Environment Vista 4.3 or newer Vista 5.X.X Cause The "Log backup" tab is not displayed when the option "Custom" is selected in TAC Vista server setup, under the SQL Server tab. As stated in the help file for Tac Vista Server setup:  "When you select Custom SQL configuration, the integrated log database backup/restore functions in TAC Vista will be disabled". This means that a backup will have to be carried out in SQL Studio (Express). Resolution 1. Download and install SQL management studio express from Microsoft website. 2. Start the program and find the database taclogdata (or the name you have chosen for the database in TAC Vista server setup). 3. Right-click on the database; select "Tasks" and then "Backup". 4. In the dialogue window that appears, check the details and select an appropriate destination for the backup file. 5. Click "OK". The SQL database should now be backed up.

Issue Excessive alarms coming into Vista Workstation from change of state objects Environment Vista Cause Alarm parameters may be set to be too sensitive for the hardware they are monitoring. Resolution Change of State Parameters: Right Click on the Change of State Object Select Properties Click on the Alarms Tab Change the High and Low Alarm limits to decrease potential alarms Increase the minimum change to increase the deviation required for an alarm to trip.

Issue Some SNVTs from .XIF file are not added to TAC Vista SNVT with - in the name is not added in TAC Vista Some SNVTS from the .XIF file are missing in TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Cause TAC Vista can't handle dashes (-) in object names. If the SNVT has a - in the name it will not be added in TAC Vista Resolution Open the XIF file with a text editor Change the name of the SNVT (take out the -) Save the XIF file and re-read it into TAC Vista.

Issue What is the difference between the NL220I and NL220M dongle. Product Line Other, TAC Vista Environment Newron NL220 Cause There are two types of NL220 dongles, (install) and M(maintenance).  Each type have their own specific functionality.  The correct dongle should be selected to avoid issues at a later time. Typically you use a NL220M for the site installation. This dongle is locked with the site NL220 installation, then use a NL220I dongle in conjunction with the NL220M to unlock the Engineering features. Credits are used and replaced on the NL220M dongle in this case. Resolution Newron NL220 functionality.   Administration (Engineering) mode will allow the following (NL220I): Creating a project Adding network infrastructure devices Adding LonWorks devices – application specific devices as well as programmable devices Installing and commissioning network infrastructure devices Installing and commissioning LonWorks devices Creating SNVT and tag bindings Configuring devices using the generic browser and device specific plug-ins Managing devices Deleting devices Replacing devices Maintenance mode will allow the following (NL220M): Configuring existing devices using the generic browser and device specific plug-ins Managing devices Replacing devices   Typically you use a NL220M for the site installation. This dongle is locked with the site NL220 installation, then use a NL220I dongle in conjunction with the NL220M to unlock the Engineering features. Credits are used and replaced on the NL220M dongle in this case.

Issue Have two LNS databases and need to share values between them. Environment Lonmaker Newron NL220 Vista Cause As the two LNS networks are not connected you cannot bind values between them. You can use a Object transfer in Vista or a Loytec L-Proxy controller Resolution The main difference between the two methods is the object transfer is PC based and the Loytec option is field based.  Object Transfer option: Add an object transfer as described in the Chapter 14 of the TAC Vista Technical Manual. L-Proxy Loytec controller option: This product will reside on both LNS channels and can be setup to transfer values across networks. Here is a link to the product . From here scroll down to find the L-Proxy Datasheet

Issue Problems with alarms or configuring alarms in Vista Environment TAC Vista Workstation Cause Improper alarm configuration Resolution Here are steps to configure each part of the Alarm  in Vista. Change of State Object - This is the source of the alarm. Right click on a folder in Vista and select New > Object > Change of State Name the object Double click on the object to modify it Provide a description of the alarm and set a priority level if required. Click on the Object Tab and select the Object to Monitor and the Reference property Click on the Alarm Tab Select an Alarm processing control.  These should be located under the TAC Vista Root object. The default is $Alr_Cntrl Fill in the appropriate text field.  Note: "Text for" fields are text issued as the result of the alarm. "Triggering" text should only be used when monitoring a string value. Set Low and High Limit for the alarm to occur Set Minimum change: This is the smallest deviation required to trip an alarm when using numeric values. Alarm Receiver Objects - These objects route alarms that are intended to go outside of Vista. There are 3 types: Print, file, and Mail (email) Right click on a folder in Vista Workstation and select New>Object>Alarm Receiver - E-Mail (or applicable type Name The Object Double Click on the Object to modify it In the General Tab provide the description and appropriate information for your alarm type (email recipient) In the Alarm Fields Tab, select the fields you wish to appear in the printout or email If you are using Alarm Receiver - Video you will need to set the video settings in the General tab and select cameras to record in the Video Cameras Tab Click Okay Alarm Control Group - This allows us to control distribution of an alarm.  Multiple control Groups will allow multiple distribution lists.  From Vista Workstation, right click on the TAC Vista folder (Alarm Control Objects can only be created here) Select New > Object > Alarm Control Name the Object Double Click on the Object to modify it Enter a description Click "Add" and browse to the desired Alarm Receivers Click on the Acknowledge tab and configure appropriate parameters Click on the Time Control Here you can browse to a time variable that will determine when to use the Alternate Receivers list Add Alternate receivers Click OK

Issue TGML Script has stopped working after upgrading to Vista 5.1.5 Nothing happens when clicking on a button in a TGML graphic - it worked in Vista 5.1.4  Environment Vista 5.1.5 Graphics Editor TGML 1.1.5 Cause  The TGML language is now case sensitive to increase performance, which may result in upgrading issues. Resolution Check the script and ensure that all keywords such as Visible and Hidden have capital letters if the corresponding object attribute starts with a capital letter.

Issue When activating a Vista trend I get the error message "May only be changed in online-mode" Environment Vista Cause You have Vista offline. This is indicated by a red cross in the Vista server icon. Resolution To place Vista into Operating mode follow these steps: Navigate to the object $System in the root directory of the project. Right mouse click on the object and select properties Under the general tab check the "Operating" check box Select the ok button. The red cross should now disappear and you should be able to activate your trend.

Issue Is it possible to use TAC Menta from a TAC Workstation remote? Environment TAC Vista Workstation remote 5.1.5 TAC Menta 5.1.5 Cause A Workstation remote is meant to be used by the customer to manage the system and don't  as a engineering tool. If installing a workstation remote Menta is not installed.   Resolution No it is not possible to use TAC Menta from a TAC Workstation remote.  

Issue Executing a Project Builder File should launch Visio and open a drawing. Instead, Visio opens but stops short of the file opening. Environment Project Builder Visio Cause Project Builder is disabled in Visio. Resolution In Visio go to Help>About Microsoft Visio Click on Disabled Items button in the pop up. Ensure Project Builder is not listed If so, select the Project Builder Listing Click the Enable button. Restart Visio.

Issue When adding a physical layer Xenta repeater, or Loytec smart-switch, to split a single channel into multiple segments, there is no need to represent that repeater/smart-switch in the LON network.  It will be invisible to the LNS database, and will function only on the physical layer. Environment LON Network with more than 64 devices on a single segment Xenta Repeater, Loytec Smart-Switch Cause A single LON segment can have up to 64 devices (though a conservative recommendation is typically closer to 50).  A segment is a single LON wire that is separated from another segment either by a physical layer repeater, smart-switch, or router.  A channel can have up to 3 segments separated by a repeater with a limitation of 128 devices (or nodes) total on the channel. Resolution There is no need to represent a physical layer repeater/smart-switch on the LON drawing or in the LNS network.  It will be operating on the physical layer either amplifying signals or filtering noise and bad data, and repeating messages on the wire.  The LON network will only see a single channel without any indication that there are 2 segments, other than the fact that there may be more than 64 devices on that channel.

Issue Each time the PC starts the below prompt indicating that the license server manager could not determine where to find the licensing data it needs.  This has to be manually re-entered on each restart of the computer. Environment Vista 5 Windows XP Cause Security settings or policies on the workstation are not allowing the registry setting to be saved or are been overridden during start up. Resolution Security settings or policies on the workstation must allow this setting to function or not be overridden. For information, the registry setting is located in the following registry key. "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - FLEXlm License Manager - TACLIC_LICENSE_FILE" key.