Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue There's a need to understand how COV subscriptions are established and re-established when a controller goes offline and comes back online Environment StruxureWare Building Operation b3s Cause COV subscriptions get established with PE programming and with bindings Resolution The time to live for the subscription is 5 hours and gets checked every 5 minutes. If the b3 (client) goes offline eventually the subscriber server will stop the subscription after it sends out 4 messages every 3 seconds. If the acknowledge that the subscription isn’t received by the server device then it stops the subscription. The client subscriber is the one that determines the initiation of the subscription, so in this case once the b3 resets, either warm start or cool start and the program runs then the subscription would start again. A cold start would not start the subscription. If the target device goes offline, then it will be searched for with the ‘who-is’ service, and when it comes back online (the device replies with ‘I-am’), the COV subscription will be reestablished. A binding will also attempt to setup a COV subscription.  If the target device goes offline, then it will be searched for with the ‘who-is’ service, and when it comes back online (the device replies with ‘I-am’), the COV subscription will be reestablished.

Issue How to estimate the thermal load (BTU/hr) that your controllers and equipment will produce. Environment All electrical equipment. Cause Need to know what the thermal load of our equipment will be for calculating air conditioning capacity. Not all of our equipment has this information provided in data sheets. Resolution It is possible to calculate the thermal load based on the power consumption of each device. See here for an online calculator. You can calculate the BTU/hr using the following formula. BTU/hr = Power (W) * 3.1412141633 As an example, looking at the Continuum AC-1 I/O module's datasheet, we see that it consumes 2.6W without the attached reader (you would need to add the power from the reader as well if it is being powered by the AC-1). Which gives us; AC-1 = 2.6W * 3.412141633 = 8.87 BTU/hr Use this same calculation for any other devices that you require the thermal load for.

Issue User has a backup of my files that they have restored onto a new workstation PC but now they are unable to edit the files.  For example: A Continuum graphic needs to be edited and cannot save changes but can save as a new graphic. Environment Window OS Windows XP Windows 7 8 8.1 10 Windows Vista Cause This is caused by Microsoft Windows OS. Windows will automatically make a file "Read only" if it has been moved from another PC  Resolution The solution is to change the files back to read / write. Example: Open Windows Explorer and find the folder you want to change, for this example it is "Continuum graphics." Right click on the folder and select properties, which shows a tab that will be ticked next to "read only" deselect this tab and then select apply. Once windows has finished changing the folder and its contents to read/write the user will be able to go into continuum and edit graphics.

Issue Wrong username and/or password when logging into Webstation via a Magelis Opti PC Environment SmartStruxure Magelis Opti PC Webstation Cause Many Magelis are installed with an older Internet Explorer version i.e. IE 6.xx. Webstation requires a higher version of Internet Explorer. Internet Explorer 7 is confirmed as ok, but later versions are recommended. Resolution Upgrade the Internet Explorer on the Magelis PC, sometimes this is not possible if it is not permitted to install software on the unit. This can be disabled by going to: Start > Programs > Accessories > System tools > EWF activator deactivator Set it as disabled (a reboot may be needed) Download the new Internet Explorer from Microsoft and install it. Enable the EWF activator deactivator again.

Issue Email alarms can be configured in the AS and ES and understanding that interaction is needed Environment SmartStruxure Windows 7 Windows Server 2008 Cause There is a need to know what happens when creating email alarms in the AS and ES Resolution The server (AS or ES) that has the email notification object will send the email. So if you want to be sure that the AS alarms still send emails even if the ES is offline, then you should have email notifications configured on the AS and not rely on a global email notification on the ES. If notifications are configured on both the ES and AS which triggers on the same alarm, then two emails will be sent. One when its triggered on the AS and one when the ES fetches the alarm from the AS. You may be able to manage the triggering of the AS alarm by a program that checks the online status or alarm indication of the ES being offline.

Issue Software Licensing for Continuum 2.0 & StruxureWare Solution Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Continuum Site integration with the StruxureWare Solution Continuum Cyberstation software & Licensing Cause Request for Software Licensing compared to the Hardware key.  Resolution There is a Ordering and Activation document available on the Buildings Exchange Download Center. A link is provided below: Ordering and Activation of Software License for Continuum v2.0 Software license is a dedicated license per workstation and locked to both the hardware and the operating system. Recommended not to install on old hardware. Software licensing is available for both new and existing installations after Continuum 2.0.  A Hardware key is required in order purchase a software license.  This is because the Continuum features and options are purchased with the physical Hardware key, not with the keyless license.   When purchasing the Keyless license, the serial number of the Hardware key is submitted along with a License Information file (c2v) that has been created on the workstation that is to be licensed.  The License Information file is created using the Hasp Key Utility.   Continuum installations pre version 2.0 (e.g. v1.94) who wish to upgrade to v2.0 and would like to benefit from Software Licensing feature must download and install the required files. Those are outlined in the document above. Note: For Continuum Interface for SmartStruxure Solution the demo StruxureWare Building Operation license has all required features. Your Continuum 2.0 key must have the Advanced Webserver feature enabled.You can use the Continuum Interface Server for any Continuum installation: Standalone or Multi-User (LAN). All existing Andover Continuum configurations are supported in the Continuum Interface Server.  

Issue Importing a Xenta 121-FC controller into StruxureWare Building Operation. Environment Xenta 121FC Cause How do you setup the Xenta 121-FC using StruxureWare Building Operation only, as all the config needs setting for 1 Return Temp. Cooling Only (AO type). Fan On/Off   Resolution The original process would require the use of LonMaker and ZBuilder to configure the Xenta 121-FC controller onto the LON network, before adding it to the StruxureWare Building Operation LON interface. Version 1.4 introduces LNS device plug-in support to configure LonWorks® devices. StruxureWare Building Operation v1.4 supports third party software: OpenLNS. OpenLNS is only required on WorkStation machines used for configuration of LON® devices (e.g. WorkStation Pro machines). Automation Server and Enterprise Server databases are updated with any changes created with the plug-in. With LNS device plug-in support, now ZBuilder can be used with SmartStruxure solution. Plus, all Xenta controllers are supported, including the X100 series – e.g. Xenta 121.

Issue The Web Server threw an exception. Please make sure the StruxurewareReportingAgent service is running and is set to run "Automatic" An error occurred on the Web Server while processing your request. If the problem persists, please contact your system administrator. Environment Webreport 1.4 upgrade Cause A WebReports installer must use an admin-level SQL Server Management Studio user account to log on to a computer running WebReports. This installer account also requires the addition of three database permissions that permit access to and control of the WebReports database during installs or upgrades. For example, an administrator can detach the database. In SQL Server Management Studio, verify that the Login Properties for the NTAuthority\IUSR and designated WebReports installer user accounts include the db_datareader, db_datawriter, and db_owner database role memberships. Resolution Use SQL management SQL studio and log in to the SQL. Use properties on the user NTAuthority\IUSR and make sure the following are included db_datareader, db_datawriter, and db_owner database role memberships.

Issue Is Microsoft SQL Server 2012 supported in Report Server 1.4?  Environment SmartStruxure Report Server Cause The Report Server 1.4 datasheet mention of SQL Server 2012 is an over sight. Resolution Report Server 1.4 does not support Microsoft SQL Server 2012.  When it may be supported is unknown at the time of this writing.

Issue When sharing the domain with the AS under an ES, the domain object appears but includes no Users or User Groups. Environment Domains Users User Groups Permissions Cause Need an efficient way to distribute and administer permissions to all Automation Servers. Resolution When you share a domain in the ES with an Automation Server, the Users and User Group properties apply to the AS However, the Users and User groups will not appear as objects under the domain in the Automation server as they do in the ES. Only the domain object will appears under the AS.  Nevertheless the permissions will be extended to the AS.

Issue Unable to use "Object" as a keyword in SmartStruxure Script program.  Environment SmartStruxure Script Object Keywords Cause The Object keyword is not supported in SmartStruxure script language because the binding structure cannot accommodate this function. Resolution The Object keyword is not available nor is any compatible function. 

Issue I/NET Host Tool with StruxureWare Building Operation Environment I/NET Site StruxureWare Building Operation Site Cause I/NET Host Tool support with StruxureWare Building Operation Resolution With the current release of Building Operation, I/NET Host Tool is not supported. Licensing of the Host Tool comes from a TAC Vista server and the graphics converter is not in the I/NET Host Tool. 

Issue Explanation and detail required for Client Access License (CAL). Product Line Andover Continuum, EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment Windows  SQL Server Cause Information on Client Access License (CAL). Resolution Server licensing and Client Access Licenses (CALs) for the MS Server or MS SQL can become complex. It may be worthwhile to research further through Microsoft resources. SQL Server 2008 is available under three licensing models: Server plus device client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each client device. Server plus user client access license (CAL). Requires a license for the computer running the Microsoft server product, as well as CALs for each user. Processor license. Requires a single license for each CPU in the operating system environment running SQL Server. This license includes unlimited client device access. SQL Standard will normally come with 5 CALs. If more than 5 connections exist, then ore SQL CALs need to be purchased. See Microsoft Volume Licensing for more information. Note: MS Server CALs are separate and are also required. EcoStruxure Building Operation does not check CAL Client Access Licensing. EcoStruxure Building Operation Reports Server can be run using Microsoft SQL Express.  

Issue The IO Module does not report input signals and all physical outputs are turned off. The IO module status LED blinks at a rate of one blink per second. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment I/O Module Cause The IO module has been placed into Low Power Mode. Resolution  I/O Module Low Power Mode In order to save energy, an I/O module can be placed in low power. When an I/O module is in low power, the following conditions apply: The I/O module does not report input signals and all physical outputs are turned off. The Module status reports low power. The I/O module's LED pattern indicates low power (the slowest green LED blink pattern, approximately once every 3 seconds). When you set an I/O module to low power, the software turns off all outputs. When you want to recover an I/O module from low power, there are several points to consider: Make sure all I/O module Output values are set to a safe level before a return to normal power conditions. This prevents "power surge" conditions. After normal power resumes, the Output values set are reached immediately after any timing delay occurs. Setting and Recovering an I/O Module from Low Power Place an I/O module in low power mode in order to save energy and then recover that module later.   To set and recover an I/O module from low power In WorkStation, in the System Tree pane, expand the IO Bus. Click the I/O module that you want to put in Low power mode. Click File and then Properties. Under Configuration Settings, in the Low power box, select True. Click OK to change the value and close the Properties tab. If the physical I/O module, shown in the System Hardware folder, matches the logical I/O module defined in the I/O Bus, the I/O module goes into Low power. After the physical module enters low power, the Module status attribute in the Status Information area displays Low power.  To set and recover an I/O module from low power In the System Tree pane, expand the IO Bus to recover from low power mode. Click the I/O module to recover. Click File and then Properties. Under Configuration Settings, in the Low power box, select False. Click OK to change the value and close the Properties pane. If the physical I/O module, shown in the System Hardware folder, matches the logical I/O module defined in the I/O Bus folder, the I/O module exits from low power. After the module resumes operation from low power, the Module status returns to the status it had before it went into Low power. NOTE: If unable to change the Low Power property: Export the contents of the I/O module Deleted it from the AS Re-add it to the AS Import the XML back into the module

Issue What properties of a signal is exposed in SmartStruxure via TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface? Environment TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface SmartStruxure Cause What properties of a signal from TAC Vista can be seen in SmartStruxure? Resolution Value (read/write) Unit (read only) Description (read only)

Issue How does TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface affect the field bus traffic under TAC Vista? Environment TAC Vista SmartStruxure interface SmartStruxure TAC Vista Cause Does the TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface ask for all values that are hosted and how often? Resolution TAC Vista SmartStruxure Interface creates subscriptions to the TAC Vista server and only asks for values that are being used. When you set up the EcoStruxure web service interface, you also set up how often the values get polled in the "value poll interval."

Issue On two occasions all of the scheduled periods disappear from the schedule. Environment AS Schedules Exception Schedules Cause Weekly scheduled times were entered as exception schedules. Resolution Recurring periodic scheduled event which occur week after week should be programmed as weekly schedules.  Exception schedules are used to override weekly scheduled events.

Issue After changing the engineering and electric scale with the spreadsheet the implicit logs stopped working Environment StruxureWare version 1.3 Cause It is not possible to recreate this problem in version 1.3 SP1. Resolution Upgrade to version 1.3 SP1 will solve the problem.

Issue Unable to Bind to an I/NET Point Command Error Alarm after Binding to an I/NET Value Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, TAC INET Environment StruxureWare Workstation Cause As of version 1.4, I/NET input points can not be bound to SmartStruxure outputs. A Command Error Alarm will occur when attempting to bind to an I/NET controller that does not have the current bin file Resolution If needed create an additional I/NET output point and use that to control the I/Net input point via a Calculation Point Extension. In I/NET, connect to the controller. Select Edit > Controller > Configuration If the Build Date is older than April of 2012, you will need to upgrade the controller. In StruxureWare, when setting up the bind to the I/NET point, be sure to edit the I/NET point objects bindings, if that is what is being controlled. Bind the desired StruxureWare value to Control Value (DO) or Value (AO) property of the point for I/NET.

Issue Not all features are seen when a BMS platform is viewed using remote control software e.g. RealVNC Environment Remote Control Software. Cause Not all features are seen when a BMS platform is viewed using remote control software. One example is: When the SmartStruxure License Software application is used, the drop down menu for adding the license detail is not available when viewed remotely using RealVNC. Resolution When the SmartStruxure License Software application is used, the drop down menu for adding the license detail is not available when viewed remotely using RealVNC. The above example is one scenario. There are a number of other remote control software applications where similar instances may occur. If such an issue occurs, check that the BMS software is functioning correctly by both being viewed and ran in the same environment. Because of the number of different remote control software options that are available, anomalies will prevail.