Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue On a new install an error is received when launching webclient using the URL. The error is 'Failed to access IIS metabase' Read access error. Environment Webclient Windows XP Windows Vista Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause The .Net installation connection to IIS was made properly or the .net installation has been corrupted.  Resolution Register the .Net Framework on the webclient PC From a DOS prompt (Start>Run cmd+enter) Cd\Windows\Microsoft.net\framework\v2.0.50727 (this places you in the correct folder) Run aspnet_regiis.exe -i (This command re-registers the .net framework with IIS) Restart IIS (Right click on default web site in IIS Manager, select stop the start) Re-test Uninstall/Reinstall .Net on the webclient PC If the first step doesn't correct the issue then do the following Remove the versions of .net that you can from Windows Control Panel>Add/remove programs (Try one at a time 4.0, 3.5,etc) There are dependencies when uninstalling some .net versions, so you may need an uninstall tool from the following web site: (Use at your own risk - please read the information first) http://blogs.msdn.com/b/astebner/archive/2006/05/30/611355.aspx   Install .Net framework 20 using the following file provided on the webclient installation (C:\program files\webserver\redist\dotnetfx20.exe) Restart IIS (Right click on default web site in IIS Manager, select stop the start  Re-test

Issue Can the RoamIO connect to a stand alone b3 device? Environment RoamIO BACnet Service Tool b3s Cause Need to connect to b3 device that is not on any MSTP Resolution Yes, the RoamIO and BACnet Service Tool can be used to connect to a stand alone b3 device as long as the device already has been assigned a MAC id If the b3 is brand new and has not yet been assigned a MAC id, you'll have to attach a second b3 that has a MAC id, the RoamIO needs to see traffic on the MSTP in order to perform its auto baud and join the bus. Connect the RoamIO to the service port on the device. NOTE: In the View menu make sure the 'View by networks' menu item is NOT selected.

Issue View report in trend log object returns error "No data was returned for this report. Please check the report time interval and filter. Environment bCX4040 b3s Cause Trendlog object has not been sent to the database Resolution In the Continuum Explorer, expand the BACnet Devices folder then select the device Right click on the device and select Sent To -> Database Make sure the Trendlog object now appears in the BACnet view View report from the Trendlog object should now display  without error

Issue Does the PIU follow the 'Import Into Options' in the Continuum Explorer? Environment CyberStation PIU Cause Documentation Resolution When importing personnel objects via the PIU the 'Import Into Options' in the Continuum Explorer DO NOT apply. The PIU always overwrites all area links if an import from the PIU is done to an existing personnel object.

Issue Nothing happens or an error ' You have insufficient rights to perform this operation' happens when clicking a webpinpoint graphic that is set up with a Plain English script. Environment Webclient Web Pinpoint Windows XP Windows Vista Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Webpinpoint does not support running PE programs like Cyberstation Pinpoint does. Resolution Webpinpoint does not support running PE programs like Cyberstation does. A possible work around to this would be to set up a numeric that gets changed when a button is pushed. A program can be set up as looping to be triggered by this numeric and the code executed to perform the operation needed.

Issue Is it possible to directly replace a TCX867 with an i2867? Environment TCX867, i2867 Triac Output negative, positive, load switching Cause The two products have different output circuitry and the i2867 will not always be a direct replacement. Resolution Both the i2867 and the i2867 have triac outputs that only switch AC loads.  The i2867 outputs internally have one side connected to ground, hence the terminals are labeled Outx (Out1, Out2 ..) and Gnd, this means that when switching electrical loads they must switch the return path from the load, not the power feed to the load. The older TCX867 has isolated outputs and could switch either the Power or ground side of the switched load. It has 2 terminals on each output both labeled with the channel name i.e. Out1 on both terminal 1 & 2. So you can replace a faulty TCX867 in the field with a i2867, but it may require changes to the plant wiring to ensure the -Ve side of the load is switched, failure to do this can result in damage to the i2867. See i2867 installation guide for full details on installing an i2867

Issue Trying to create Modbus RTU 2nd Generation XDriver points. Filled in Xdriver tab attributes and pressed "Apply" or "OK". When refreshing or re-opening the point editor the Xdriver tab info has not saved.     Environment Modbus RTU Xdriver CyberStation Cause The name attribute of the Xdriver comm port was changed to Modbus Comm 4 and the Alias was changed to CommX. Resolution Change the Xdriver comm port name and alias attributes back to the default settings - in this case comm4. Points now save correctly.

Issue Modbus points on a CX9680 have very long update time.  Points can take hours to update.  LAN capture file shows no issues. Down reving the NetController to firmware 2.000014 restored normal point update times.  This problem recurs when the controller is upgraded to any higher version. Environment Modbus TCP/IP xdriver CX9680 Cause Slow update times may be related to a known issue that was corrected in the new Modbus TCP/IP xdriver v 200017 that was released 2/14/2012 Resolution Replace xdriver with version 2.00017.

Issue AccDataservices.Exe  not found on startup. Environment Continuum  1.7x, 1.8x,  1.9x AVG Anti Virus. Cause New AVG Virus definitions installed on 2/15/2012  marked the accdataservices.exe as "Malware" and placed the file in quarantine. Resolution Add accdataservices.exe to the exception list in the AVG Antivirus program.

Issue From Continuum edit the schedule that comes built in with the Viconics device and change the Object Property List then save the schedule. The schedule object saves without error, but re-opening the schedule reveals that no change took place. Environment CyberStation Viconics thermostat Cause Viconics does not allow changes to the built in schedule object property list. Resolution A workaround is to put the schedule that is in the Viconics device out of service then create a schedule in the bCX that drives the desired objects in the thermostat.

Issue Dump file imports fail, have errors, or have blank programs with no code. Environment Continuum Cyberstation Cause Large dump file imports (such as an entire site database) can have problems where the import gets out of sync and fail. Making any changes to the dump file with an editor such as Word, Wordpad, or Edit applications. These text editors cause problems formatting, the bytecode of InfinityPrograms do not have a carriage return and the editor can end up pushing all the lines of code up onto one line. This can't be imported properly due to the line now being greater than the maximum line size. Resolution The following recommendations should be considered when importing dump files: Usually breaking these large imports up into smaller chunks (each controller) results in a smoother import and more success. Use a true ASCII text editor such as Notepad++ to make changes to dump files. Always save changes to a new filename so the original is left untouched.  You may also need to remov the Workstation Folder and Workstation, re-initialized the Continuum Workstation and then retry the import.  

Issue Need to print a variable such as DayOfYear and have the value always printed using three digits. Environment All CXs All i2s All b3s Cause Documentation Resolution Use the 'Right' function as follows... Print Right("000",DOY,3) to MyString The above will print the day of the year to MyString padded with zeros to the left when day of year contains less than three digits.

Issue When a program in the source controller keeps setting a point's value to the same value (i.e. set MyPoint = On) every scan, the point's value is being transferred to the destination controller even if the point is subscribed in the Import/Export table. Environment Infinet controllers ( i1 & i2 ) Net controllers ( CX9xxx & ACX57xx) Cause When the value of the source point is changed, it is transferred to the destination Infinet controller(s) by the IE engine.  But when the source point's value is set to the same value (most likely output and numeric points set by calculation programs in the same controller), the IE engine still transfers the same value to the destination controller, in order to have the destination controller get the value that might have been lost due to the controller being offline.  This does not happen to Input points due to the threshold attribute of the object.  Resolution Modify the calculation program in the source controller to compare its value with the previous value before setting the value to the calculation (or condition check) result.

Issue Personnel Manager takes longer to open than Personnel Editor. Environment Continuum 1.93 Cause When the personnel folder is selected it will take time to complete the object list. (Contents of the folder)   10,000 records = approx. 45 seconds. Resolution Wait until the object list populates before you select a personnel record. There will be a 10 to 20 second opening difference between the personnel manager and the personnel editor. This is due to opening process differences.

Issue Where is the download for the LonWorks Xdriver file located? Environment cx99xx cx96xx Cause The LonWorks Xdriver file is not located under the Drivers\LonWorks folder on the Buildings Business Extranet where the LonWorks documentation is located. Resolution The LonWorks XDriver, for both Generation 1 and Generation 2 controllers, is hidden under the Standard Protocols heading. Download the LonWorks Xdriver from The Exchange Download Center.

Issue When you have a PE program in bCX controller which is quite long and works good in the controller.  But when you open the editor of the program to modify it,  you get the error code 5227 ( 0x0146B ) and cannot  open the editor.  Environment Continuum workstation. BCX4040. BCX9640. Cause When editing a long PE program of  the controller in online mode, the controller fails to respond to workstation when the controller is too busy due to high scan rate or the busy network.  Resolution Resolution 1) - Modify / change other existing PE programs to alleviate the controller's CPU load ( reduce the scan of the controller ) enough for the controller to respond to workstation in time.  Resolution 2 - Edit the long PE program of the controller in offline mode ( offline workstation ) , and then reload the program to the controller from online mode ( online workstation) .

Issue Can I use the new STR500 Continuum Room Temperature Sensor on a Smart Sensor port? Environment Continuum Controllers Cause Need an extra temperature input and the Smart Sensor port is not being used. Resolution As well as the Smart Sensor, the Smart Sensor port can support 10Kohm temperature sensors. The STR500 is a 10Kohm temperature sensor for the Continuum controllers. It will work on the smart sensor port but will only be usable as a temperature input, it will not have the full Smart Sensor abilities. 

Issue WebPinpoint does not work through external network connection. Receive Pinpoint error: "Unknown error. Server:http://:/DNWACServerFactory/WACServerFactory.soap". This error is not seen when the WebClient browser machine is connected to the same LAN as the WebClient Server. Environment Continuum WebClient Browsing through a Firewall using port forwarding. Cause Port forwarding was used to forward external port 16540 to the WebClient Server to overcome the fact that port 80 (normally what is used for IIS) was being used by another Server on this LAN. Resolution Change the internal port in IIS to use 16540 (or any other unused port) instead of 80. On the router, route external port 16540 to internal port 16540. Reboot the WebClient Server. Connect to the WebClient server specifying the new port: http://serveraddress:16540/    

Issue Continuum application fails to start with error 1001 could not load file or assembly Sorttbls.nlp Environment CyberStation Cause .Net corruption. Resolution Uninstall and re-install .net May have to re-format the hard drive and re-install windows if problem is not fixed by the above.

Issue Primary access server stops logging access events. A list view of access events shows that no events have been recorded in days even though doors are working file and people get access. ACCTrace taken at the primary access server shows the events are received but there is no line indicating that the events are logged. (Don't see line AccDataServices, Logger, SUCCESS logging access event) Environment CyberStation Cause The module that takes care of logging the access events in the Primary Access server has stopped working even though all other functionality in the CyberStation seems to be working fine. Resolution Close CyberStation Reboot the machine Re-start CyberStation