Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue The Lon comms card that can be installed in the pciExpress slot on HP Laptops can sometimes generate a "Buffers Full" error. The identical fault details can be found in another Knowledge Base article relating to Dell E6400 laptops. Product Line Satchwell MicroNet, Satchwell Sigma, TAC Vista Environment Sigma using IC-3 Lon with Lonmaker for Windows Vista Micronet when using Lon interface Using the Lon PCC-10 Card in a laptop that has an express card slot and not a PCMCIA card slot. Cause There is an issue with some HP 6560D Probook laptop that is provided by the UK IS department to commissioning and service engineers. If they need to use the Echelon Lontalk PCC-10 PCMCIA card then when trying to configure it via the Control Panel applet it will fail giving an error message "Driver Buffers Full" or it will simply fail when running diagnostic tests. Resolution See Can a LON PCC-10 PCMCIA card work in a laptop with an express card slot? for details of the Express card configuration for laptops.

Issue When the quantity of Xenta Server reaches a certain figure, for example 20, the following Xenta Servers begin to become offline in Vista 5.1.2. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista 5.1.2 Cause There are issues when more than 20 Xenta Servers are added in Vista 5.1.2. After 20 Xenta servers have been added, the following Xenta Servers begin to become offline in Workstation. Resolution Upgrade to Vista 5.1.5 or greater. The Xbuilder and Xenta Server firmware can stay 5.1.2 without change. For information on how to install Vista 5.1.5, refer to Instructions for downloading and installing Vista 5.1.5 on an operating system older than Windows 7.

Issue How to upgrade software from a temporary license to a permanent one. Product Line TAC INET Environment All versions of I/NET Software on Windows 7 and Windows XP. Cause During commissioning or startup of a new system, it may be necessary to get a system up and running before the correct key is available after placing an order at Order Entry. Resolution To change the license from a temporary one to a permanent one, follow the instructions in Installing I/NET Seven MSDE on new Dell PCs and Laptops, replacing the temporary information with the permanent license.

Issue Values are coming into Vista without issue but do not update on the graphics in the Xenta 7XX. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Workstation Graphics Xenta Server 701, 711, 721, 731 Cause If there is a Xenta Server in the database, when connection objects are not used to bind values between a controller and a Menta program in the Xenta Server, this graphic update can occur. It can also be because of the XIF for a device being formatted incorrectly. If the procedure below doesn't solve the issue, refer to LON device can communicate in Vista, but fails in a Xenta Server / XBuilder Resolution There are two options to correct this issue: Re-engineer the XBuilder project to use connection objects between the controller and the Menta program in the Xenta controller. The control task speed of the Menta program in the XBuilder project can be changed to a lower speed setting.

Issue Standalone v1.93 system has about 1000 points being extended logged for site commissioning. There are "holes" in the extended log data. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Standalone CyberStation v1.93 Cause Standalone v1.93 system has about 1000 points being extended logged for site commissioning. There are "holes" in the extended log data. The points are being logged at 2 minute intervals. Partner added a second (temporary) workstation to help with extended logging. This is still a standalone (SQLExpress) system. Extended log data is being extracted using Excel on the standalone server.   Even with the second CyberStation helping with the load, there are still holes in the log data. Resolution The workstations cannot handle the extended logging of ~1000 points at 2 minute intervals. Not using SQL Express on a single user even with a second workstation. See also Extended Logging gaps, performance and load balancing. This article mentions 2000 points per workstation but it is likely that this was all based on 15 minutes intervals and running full SQL Server. At 2 minutes intervals you need to gather 720,000 entries/day or 8.333 entries/sec. At 15 minute intervals you need to gather 96,000 entries/day or 1.111 entries/sec. This is a big difference. In addition, the Excel script is reading from the same extended log table being written to, at 8.333 entries/sec.   The controller log engine is completely independent of the extended log engine. The controller logs never send their data to CyberStation; CyberStation has to go get it. The extended log engine uses the general preference settings. In this case the settings are as follows and appear fine. 7. Extended log database check interval (minutes): 5 8. Extended log maximum LAN buffer interval (minutes): 30 10. Extended log automatic purge interval (days): 5   CyberStation is constantly trying to gather data from logs well before the “deadline” when the log fills and is about to be overwritten. While doing this, CyberStation also has to monitor time in the controllers, to make sure it is not too far out of sync, and this may potentially take place on field bus controllers on many network controllers, which may even be in different time zones. It also has to know when controllers have gone offline, or for some reason extended log values have not been updated. In this case, CyberStation must try to play catch up when the controllers come back online (remember, these offline controllers have most likely continued to log data). And the same “catch up” has to take place if one or both workstations are turned off, or are busy doing other tasks like running reports or polling points via Pinpoint or Listviews. The bottom line is that the CyberStation extended log data collection engine is sophisticated and complicated. To get a sense of this run AccTrace.exe (in the \Continuum folder) on a system busy with extended logs and you'll see it firsthand.  When a SQL Express system with one or two workstations is trying to collect the logs and do everything else that CyberStation does (listviews, reports, schedules, pinpoint, etc), at times, some data may get dropped. The recommendation at this site was to lighten up the CyberStation load by changing the log interval to 15 minutes and monitor if the extended log holes get eliminated.  

Issue In the datasheet some controllers have a software real time clock, others list a real time clock Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Infinet and BACnet MS/TP field controllers Cause Clarification on the operation of the 2 types of controller clock Resolution The current range of controllers have 2 different clock types, all Ethernet level controllers and the larger i2 and b3 controllers have a Real Time Clock (RTC) chip fitted with quartz crystal control for very accurate time keeping, also the controllers onboard battery will permanently keep the clock running. Some of the lower cost controllers do not have a RTC chip fitted but the controllers software operating system will update the clock every second. If the controller is not running (powered off) the clock will not update, however when a controller is connected back onto the network (Infinet or MS/TP) it will be synchronized back to the bCX or CX level controller time. So if the controller is to be ever used in a stand alone mode, it is recommended to use one with a Real Time Clock fitted. For comparison to the clocks used on the Infinity range of controllers see How do our field controllers keep their own internal time?  

Issue How to export personnel records to a .CSV file in Continuum Environment Continuum Explorer Cause -none- Resolution 1.  In Continuum Explorer, right-click on the Personnel folder, and select View.  This will open the PersonnelClassDefault Listview that will contain all personnel records 2.  In the listview, select Object > Export All.  The Open dialog box will appear. 3.  Create or select a folder on the hard drive and indicate a file name (*.csv), then click Open. If the file is newly created, it will ask you ant to create it.  Select Yes.  The CSV file will be created. 4.  Have a look at the video tutorial: http://community.se.com/videos/1562

Issue Error "Software Releases are incompatible, Local 2.301.532v1, Remote:Null" is displayed when accessing a UNC with the I/A Series WorkPlace Pro software. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment I/A Series (Niagara) R2 UNC Cause A Firewall is blocking part of communications between the UNC and the computer running the WorkPlace Pro software. Resolution For proper communications operation, the I/A Series (Niagara) R2 software requires specific Ethernet ports to be open through any Ethernet firewall that is between the WorkPlace Pro computer and the UNC. The default settings of a UNC specify the use of ethernet port 80 and 3011 for communications between UNCs, the Enterprise Server and WorkPlace Pro.  These two ports must be open for bidirectional communications for both UDP and TCP communications. See Procedure for configuring the Windows Firewall for use with the I/A Series R2 (Niagara) software.

Issue "MMC Could not create the swap-in" Error when installing SQL 2008 Express with I/NET 2.42 Product Line TAC INET Environment SQL 2008 Express 32-bit Windows 7 Cause SQL requires certain aspects of windows to be in place before installation. Ensure you have installed all windows updates available before installing SQL 2008 Express 32 bit Resolution Uninstall I/NET and SQL Remove SQL items from the windows registry. (See Verify in Windows Registry all items are deleted after uninstall of I/NET Seven and MS SQL) Use Windows update to install all available Windows updates Re-install SQL Re-install I/NET 2.42

Issue Can a site combine Tenant groups together Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET Site Cause I/NET site wants to bulk move individuals from multiple Tenant to a singular Tenant. Resolution There is not a way to easily merge tenants. This is a service which is available through the Product Support Expert Services or SWAT services.  There are many things to consider for the site and the process would require careful planning and evaluation. Consider if this is something the site really would like to perform and if so, then please email Product Support to begin the procedures to line up a scope of the work as well as get pricing information.

Issue The panes in Webstation are empty and login happens without specifying a user or password. When specifying the URL to Webstation the user is automatically logged in to Webstation but there are no objects in the panes. Product Line TAC Vista Environment TAC Vista Webstation 5.1.6/7 Cause This is caused by using the wrong application pool in Internet Information Services (IIS) manager. Resolution Ensure that the application pool SE ASP.NET v4.0 Classic is used. More information on how to set this and check other settings for Webstation can be found in Problems installing Vista Webstation 5.1.5 or newer.

Issue When printing a graphic page with Internet Explorer the printed page or print preview is blank. Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Internet Explorer 11 Java version 7 update 55 R2 gx graphic Cause Enable the next-generation Java Plug-in option is disabled in the Java control panel advanced tab. Resolution Enable the next-generation Java Plugin Restart the browser. If the next-generation plugin was disabled for security reasons please consult I/A Series R2 / G3 graphics are not displayed when using web browser after the Java version is updated to Java 7 Update 51 or later on how to add the site to the exception list so the graphics will load without having to disable the next-generation plugin.

Issue If primary access server is not online, how do the access controllers know to send the events to the secondary access server? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation 1.74 and higher CX99xx ACX57xx ACx7xx Cause On a LAN system, customer lost access events for 3 hours when primary access server was offline. Once back online the events showed up. The secondary access server was never setup. Since the controllers did not know about the secondary access server, they buffered the access events until the primary was back online. Resolution On a LAN system make sure you set up both primary and secondary access servers and make sure all access controllers are online when you do the Teach.  When you do a teach, each controller creates a list of the workstations and other controllers. When you click the primary access server checkbox in the workstation editor and hit apply, CyberStation automatically pops up the Teach dialog box. When the Teach is done the primary access server attribute gets turned on in the above list in each controller that is on-line. The same thing happens when you set the secondary access server checkbox. Note: The same process occurs, in reverse, if you deselect the access server checkbox in the workstation editor. Remember to note any offline controllers when you do a teach. Once the controllers are online do another teach - otherwise, if you are teaching the controllers about the primary and/or secondary access servers for the first time, the offline controllers will not know where to send access events. See also Access events buffered in Controller are not delivered to Cyberstation.

Issue Error when trying to register plug-ins within an LNS environment. Two known examples: Plug-in 'TACOSSysPin.Document' launch failure. Unknown error 0X8007002    Plug-in 'TACOSSysPin.Document' launch failure. Exception occurred Product Line TAC Vista Environment LonMaker 3.X TAC Vista System Plug-in Cause There are two types of credits: Product specific credits like LonMaker or NL credits and then there are LNS credits. LonMaker/NL credits are used by LonMaker/NL220 to commission devices. LNS credits are not consumed by commissioning devices in LonMaker, but are consumed when commissioning devices in NL220. LNS credits are used by other LNS applications – like the TAC Vista System Plug-in. While LNS credits may not be consumed by LonMaker, they must be present in order for the plug-ins to launch. Backing up, sharing, and restoring LNS databases can sometimes corrupt these LNS credits, which then prohibits you from launching any LNS plug-ins. For more information regarding NL220 and LNS credits see Ordering more LNS credits. Resolution Echelon released a Licensing Update in January of 2006 to improve the reliability of the Echelon licensing software, which was compromised due to newer security and self-protection features of Windows. This will not fix your already corrupted license files; however, this will help prevent the license from becoming corrupted in the future. It is highly recommended that this update be installed on all applicable products.  If you do not already have the LNS Licensing Update 2006 software (LnsLicensingUpdate2006.exe), download it from http://www.echelon.com/support/downloads/detail.asp?partNum=153-0155-01A. If you do not already have one, you will need to create a user account with Echelon. It is free. Shut down all LNS applications, including LNS enabled Windows services. LNS enabled Windows services are LNS applications that are being run under the Windows Service Manager as background processes. Examples from Echelon include the LNS Server application and the LNS DDE Server. Third party examples are typically HMI drivers for HMI workstation software products. Log on with Administrator privilege. For version 3 LNS Server installations that are not already at LNS version 3.08 or higher, LNS 3 Service Pack 8 or higher must be installed before applying this update. Service packs are available from www.echelon.com/downloads. Run LnsLicensingUpdate2006.exe. Reboot if requested by the installer. To resolve the issue of corrupted LNS credits:       Run the LNS Server License Wizard by navigating to Start > Programs > Echelon LNS Utilities > LNS Server License Wizard. It can also be found at C:\LonWorks\bin\LnsLic.exe. If the Max Credits, Credits Available, Max Deficits, Deficits Remaining, or Days Remaining are displaying zero values, then your LNS credits have become corrupted. To order free LNS replacement credits, hit Next. Hit Copy to Clipboard and paste into a blank email. After entering your specific contact information, you will want to check the "No Charge" box and the "Replacement Use" box. Before you send the form via fax or email, you also need to provide evidence that your LNS credits have been corrupted. Select Start > Run > and type "cmd" to reach a command prompt. This command will check the status of the LNS credits: checklic nsseng.exe An example of a working license is show below:   The output of this command should either be printed and sent with the fax or included in the email. Send the completed form to credits@echelon.com or print the forms and fax them to 1-408-790-3833. Note: If you are accustomed to ordering credits through another entity, do not send them this form. Only Echelon can issue replacement LNS credits. Echelon will reply with an application key that can be entered in this same window. When the LNS credits are restored, the System Plug-in should launch.

Issue After creating the MSTP network from an imported XML file, all devices under the network are offline and the network is unreliable. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment BACnet Cause The MSTP network number is not included in the XML and must be reset manually. Resolution In the MSTP network property window set the Network ID to the appropriate number. Note: To bring the devices online see Importing an exported MSTP network back into StruxureWare Building Operation.

Issue See Check Xenta programmable online status from a Xenta 5/7/9xx LON node to determine if the Xenta 5/7/9xx controller is communicating with Xenta programmable controllers on the network. If it's not, graphic pages in certain Xenta units won't display data, or connection objects won't pass data as expected, etc. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Xenta Server Xenta 511, 527, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 LNS Database XBuilder Cause A Xenta 5/7/9xx LON node pulls "double duty" as both a LON device and a Xenta device. It requires one Xenta Group Binding on message tag 0 to facilitate communication with Xenta programmable controllers. Resolution Check LacNet status (see Check Xenta programmable online status from a Xenta 5/7/9xx LON node).  If controllers are showing an offline status, proceed with the following steps. In LonMaker, right-click on the device and go to Properties. View the address table. The Xenta 5/7/9xx controller's address table should have the first entry (message tag 0) populated with an index that matches all the Xenta programmable controllers on the network (see Verifying Xenta Group Bindings in an LNS system for more information about checking address table group bindings). If the group binding for LacNet communication doesn't exist or is wrong, redo group bindings. Ensure the Xenta group masters of the network have not been manually removed from the network pane of the XBuilder project. Download the XBuilder project to the device. Recommission the device in LonMaker. If it is still not communicating, download each of the Xenta units that it is trying to communicate with and recommission them in LonMaker.

Issue How and when does a Xenta 121 resynchronize floating control outputs? Product Line TAC Vista, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Xenta 121 - All versions Cause Documented reasons for floating control resynchronization on a Xenta 121 controller. Resolution There are 3 events that cause a Xenta 121 to resynchronize its floating control output logic. These reasons are: After a restart of the controller from a power cycle or reset command. The resynchronization is randomly initiated within the first 42 minutes after this restart. Testing shows an average of 20 minutes. After the controller is powered up and has done it's initial resynchronization, it will resynchronize every 18 hours there after. Commanding the snvt_switch input nviDOResync value member to  >0, and the state member to =1 Please see Programming SNVT_Switch in Menta for instructions on how to program snvt_switch in Menta.

Issue Doors/Elevator does not work when SCU/DPU is disconnected Product Line TAC INET Environment I/NET with Access Control Site Cause In normal operating situations, communication is always there, always working. Check that the network provided and the wires which tie the 7798C to the SCU are good and not an issue. If this is not the case, redo so that this communication is stable and constant. The SubLAN should always be connected. This RS-485 network should be stable. If not, investigate. This may also be a side effect of using large numbers. When disconnecting the 7798C from the SCU, the elevator does not work because the large numbers are stored in the 7798C and not in the SCU. If the individual is set to resident in the SCU then those are the only ones allowed to use the elevator. The others look to the SLI for permission to use the elevator. Resolution The SCU must remain in contact with the 7798C when controlling elevators. The communication between the SCU and the SLI, such as a 7798C, is required since an elevator is involved. The time schedules and floor mapping are in this SLI that is requested upon each time the elevator is used.  For more information on the I/NET network and environment, check Explain and define I/NET Ethernet, C-LAN, and Sub-LAN communication.

Issue Can a program a controller to cycle an output based on a cardholder presenting an access card at a cardreader without having the cardholder actually open the door. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Netcontroller II CX9680 AC-1 AC1-Plus Plain English Cause When silencing an audible intrusion alarm using an access card, typically the person silencing the alarm must have access permissions at the door. This is so an audit trail can be maintained for alarm silencing events. Resolution In order to test the authority of the card holder that is silencing an audible alarm and to provide and audit trail for such events, the PE code typically must evaluate a valid access event. Since a valid access event is not completed until the door has been opened as indicated by the door switch input, this means that opening the door must be a part of the alarm silencing procedure. IMPORTANT UPDATE In more recent versions of ACX57xx and CX9680 a new flag attribute (ValidAttempt) has been added that makes it possible to detect a valid attempt independent of the valid access flag. See New Door attribute 'Valid Attempt' added in Cyberstation 2.0

Issue Making all Binary/Digital point types appear the same in a TGML graphic Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment TGML Cause When bringing multiple devices into the same system, 2-state values can be expressed in many different ways.  On/Off 0/1 True/False etc. Resolution Use this snippet Binary Corrector.zip to normalize the text content of all 2-state objects on a single graphics page. Delete existing binds Add this snippet to any text object and set the bound attribute as "Content" Change the True/False properties of the bind to the desired values Also check out the JavaScript Essentials - Episode 3 - Value Types Quick-Help video on the Exchange.