Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue A Log Processing Trend Log created in an EBO server and connected to an Extended Trend Log will not transfer any records even if the Force Transfer command is executed. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Cause Log processing trend log records are not saved to database, so they will not be transferred to Extended Trend logs. Resolution In the Basic Properties of the Log Processing Trend Log, set "Persist data" to True to store trend data in the database. This will enable the records to be transferred to the connected Extended trend Log.

Issue Cannot do a backup to flash on bCX4040. Distribution Properties indicates "The flash for this controller does not need to be backed up." Product Line Andover Continuum Environment bCX4040 Cause ACCStatusBackup is set to ACCBackupInactive when ACCRestartMode is set to ACCWarmStartOnly. This occurred when a bCX9640 was flashed to a bCX4040.  ACCWarmToCool is the default ACCRestartMode for the bCX4040. Resolution Change ACCRestartMode to ACCWarmToCool and then try the backup. For more information on the ACCRestartMode refer to Chapter 5 of the bCX1 Series Controller Technical Reference document # 30-3001-890.

Issue Does Port Based Network Access Control Ethernet 802.1x apply to Continuum controllers? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Ethernet Controllers Cyberstation Cause A question that may be asked by Customers IT Departments Resolution No, the 802.1x protocol is not applicable to controllers, it is a Port based Network Access Control (PBNAC) that is used by Routers and computers. It is related to the Operating system user accounts and policies so is above and outside the scope of Continuum. Not all devices support 802.1X authentication. Examples include some network printers, Ethernet-based electronics like environmental sensors, cameras, and wireless phones. For those devices to be used in a protected network environment, alternative mechanisms must be provided to authenticate them. One option would be to disable 802.1X on that port, but that leaves that port unprotected and open for abuse. Another, slightly more reliable option is to use the MAB option. When MAB is configured on a port, that port will first try to check if the connected device is 802.1X compliant, and if no reaction is received from the connected device, it will try to authenticate with the AAA server using the connected device's MAC address as username and password. The network administrator then must make provisions on the RADIUS server to authenticate those MAC-addresses, either by adding them as regular users, or implementing additional logic to resolve them in a network inventory database. Many managed Ethernet switches offer options for this. Network Security is an available option add on for IP level controllers. Please refer to IPSEC and Network Security on Controllers for more information. Another potential option would be to secure the controllers on a separate VLAN.

Issue What type of SIM is a Type 40? Environment Network 8000 Cause Service call to an older installation of Network 8000 product Resolution Type 40 is a SIM-TRANE. Click here for the SIM-TRANE Integration Manual.

Issue Various items are not being displayed in the system tree or the binding tree of EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation. When navigating through the tree, items such as folders or parameters may be missing. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Workstation System tree Cause If items are missing in the system tree or the binding browse tree then the filter settings are not set up correctly. Resolution If the expand icon next to a folder is missing or items are missing from the system tree, follow the steps below.     If the expand icon next to a folder is missing or items are missing from the system tree, make sure that the funnel icon is not clicked or activated (Show/Hide non-presentation objects)     If points are missing in the bindings browse window, make sure the funnel in the top left corner of that window is not clicked or activated (Hide parameters)

Issue b3 Schedules Environment StruxureWare Building Operation site with b3 controllers Cause What actually takes place within the system to ensure the current weeks schedule is downloaded to the controller periodically and can this be adjusted by the user? The Enterprise Server and Automation Server may not even need weekly downloads of a schedule as they are of course servers, but b3 controllers will most certainly still require some kind of period download as they can only hold one weeks schedule at any one time. Resolution B3 devices hold their entire schedule configuration. All weeks, and all exception schedule events. The entire configuration is of a schedule is written to the device when it is modified by the user. There may be several schedule objects in the b3. As such, there is no periodic download. Note that compared to Continuum which performs a default download every Saturday at midnight and updates the schedule whether needed or not.  

Issue  If JAVA 7 update 25 is installed, web browser users who login with a Workbench profile (which uses JAVA applets) are affected. The web applet is prevented from being started, and the browser appears to stop loading the Niagara user interface. Environment I/A Series G3, all versions All browsers may be affected JAVA 7 update 25 Cause Oracle has just released JAVA 7 update 25 which appears to cause the I/A Series Niagara web applet to fail. This issue may affect your customers who accept the default automatic JAVA upgrade. Resolution See TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for details. Patches are available for the following builds: 3.5.39 with security patches 3.6.47 with security patches 3.6.305 3.7.46 Download and install wbapplet.jar for all 3.5 and 3.6 stations or web.jar for 3.7 stations. Update baja.jar and fox.jar for all stations. Maintenance builds are also available for download from The Exchange Download Center.  These builds include all previous security patches plus the patch to address the JAVA 7 Update 25 issue. 3.5.406 (also referred to as AX-3.5u4) 3.6.406 (also referred to as AX-3.6u4) 3.7.106 (also referred to as AX-3.7u1) The I/A Series G3 maintenance builds and patches can be downloaded from Exchange Extranet. I/A Series G3 Revision Java 7 Update 25 Patches 3.5.39 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.5.39.zip 3.5.403 No patch available … upgrade to 3.5.406 maintenance build required 3.5.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.6.47 with security patches Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.47.zip 3.6.305 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.6.305.zip 3.6.406 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches 3.7.46 Java7Update25_wbapplet_patches_3.7.46.zip 3.7.106 Released Schneider Electric maintenance build includes patches Note: Schneider Electric strongly encourages customers to upgrade to the latest maintenance builds to take advantage of additional security enhancements as well as module updates. Follow the instructions contained in TPA-IA-13-0007.02 for the version installed. Remember to clear cache on the client workstation after updating! Alternative workarounds are: Edit user account to use HX profile. This does not use JAVA applets so does not require JAVA plugin. (Mobile profile in AX 3.7 should not be affected either). Downgrade JAVA plug-in back to JAVA 7 update 21. This will require accessing Oracle JAVA archive and creating a free Oracle login to access the installer Try this link to the Oracle JAVA archive.

Issue The bCX1 Series Technical Reference Manual shows part number 01-2100-299 as lightning protection for Continuum. The cut sheet on iPortal does not specify which model PC642C this is.   Environment Continuum Cause Details on iPortal do not specify which specific model of the PC642 series is supplied with part number 01-2100-299. Resolution The part number 01-2100-299 on iPortal (here) corresponds with the 15V model of that lightning arrestor. This also comes with the base, Emerson part numbers below. PN PC642C 015  Leaded    PN PCB1B BASE Leaded The PDF for the Edco PC642 Series is here.  

Issue Database initialization completes with errors Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Cyberstation installation Cause When running database initialization you will need full access to all of the database. Otherwise you may see errors similar to the following: Installation Error! <[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]The SELECT permission was denied on the object 'syscategories', database 'msdb', schema 'dbo'.> Installation Error! <[Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Cannot drop the procedure 'dt_IsColumnDifferent', because it does not exist or you do not have permission.>   Resolution Ensure that the Andover97 account has DBO privilege to the ContinuumDB, if not run the "Change DB Owner" query to restore Andover97 as the DBO, see Unable to Initialize Continuum Database following installing no SQL instance.   The above errors relate to setting up the SQL Server Agent Jobs that are held in the MSDB part of the database. Check that Andover97 does have the user mapping to this part of the database as per the following screenshot:     Also ensure your Windows User account has the required Administrator privileges to allow full access to the SQL database and its files.

Issue A report is set up to be printed automatically at certain times using Periodical reports.   Nothing happens and the report is never printed. It is possible to open a report manually and print it but the reports are not printed when using periodical reports. Product Line TAC Vista Environment Vista Server Windows Server 2008 Cause The periodical report worked when running Vista as a application but not as a service. The user starting the service Tacos had a password with only three characters which does not meet the complexity requirements for a Windows 2008 server. It was possible to login and start the service using this password but the service Tacos could not start Excel and create the report using this password. Resolution Change to a user with a password meeting the complexity requirements for a Windows 2008 server for the service called Tacos.

Issue A new computer has been configured as an InVue Client computer.  In Viewer, when displaying a typical graphic screen, the dynamic values for each OCX is replaced with the words "Access is Denied". What causes this message and how can it be corrected? Environment InVue Wonderware for Intelligent Buildings (WIB) Cause Primarily a Windows permissions issue or incomplete communications setup. Resolution Try each of the following to correct the problem: Make sure DCOM is enabled (Start -> Run -> dcomcnfg) and running on both the client and server computers. Use "telnet" command to see if port 135 is open and available for DCOM. Use dcomcnfg.exe to modify its settings: On Default Properties tab, verify that "Enable Distributed COM" is checked, default authentication level is "Connect" and Default impersonation level is "Identify" On Default Security tab, Default Launch Permissions - click Edit ... button, verify that the Administrators group is shown and has "Allow Launch" permission" On Default Security tab, Default Configuration Permissions - click Edit ... button, verify that the Administrators group is shown and has "Full Control" permission" Windows login account for the client pc must exist on the server as well -- same username and password -- administrative privileges mandatory Ensure wwuser.exe (factorysuite/common folder) reflects the local computer name and administrative user account Re-do the DDE Shares as outlined in Tech Bulletin 02-26 on the client computer. Turn off any firewall and disable/remove anti-virus / anti-spam program or service.

Issue How to have visibility into what a controller sees in its list of peer controllers and Cyberstations following a tech. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment All CX controllers Cause Documentation Resolution If controller is 9900 you can perform a "dump controller" from Hyper Terminal and see the list of peer controllers and CyberStations the controller has been taught. For Second Generation Continuum controllers that do not have a terminal interface you can put a program in the controller to get information about the list. (You can use the program in the 9900 as well.) Click HERE to see a sample PE program. IMPORTANT UPDATE: If the site has more than just a few (3-5) controllers comment out the line in the program that gets the controller names. Also, comment out the line that gets the security flag if there are first generation (9900, 9640) controllers involved.

Issue When trying to install a NIC709-USB the computer will not recognize it. Environment Vista LonMaker NL220 Windows 7 64-bit Windows 2008 Server 64-bit Cause A NIC709-USB will not work with a 64-bit OS. Resolution If you have a 64-bit OS then you must use a NIC709-USB100 instead of a NIC709-USB.

Issue Video integrations with Cyberstation want to bring in Pelco based alarms Product Line Andover Continuum, Pelco Environment Pelco DVR/SRV and encoders Continuum Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Pelco devices have alarm abilities, but not all can be brought into Continuum Resolution Offline and motion alarms can be brought into Continuum. Any other Pelco hardware related alarms (i.e. dry contact or alarm inputs) cannot be brought into Continuum. See Video Monitor is not popping up video on alarm for troubleshooting motion or offline alarms.

   

Issue How to see who is making what changes Environment I/NET Seven Site Cause A sites which is editing the system or controllers and need to see who or when these changes were made. Is it possible to make a change in I/Net to log this event ?   Resolution TAC I/NET Seven supports an access control audit scheme for tracking database edits associated with all pertinent access control editors. Audit trail messages provide information about configuration changes made to the access control system. These messages contain the date and time an edit was performed, the site number, and the key/card number and initials of the person who performed the edit. This provides a high-level audit trail for updates. Separate audit trail messages are generated for the following items: - Individual edits - Group edits - Personnel schedule edits - Door edits - Tenant edits - Translation table edits - Elevator edits - Access initiated control (AIC) edits - Host password edits - DCU password edits Audit trail messages can be marked with a SevenTrends cell number for later evaluation and report generation purposes. Audit trail message distribution information (group, mask, cell) is defined from the access control Options editor.

Issue Can an Automation Server operate as an MSTP device on a third party BACnet MSTP network? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation Automation Server Bundled Cause Want to connect an Automation Server to a 3rd party system as an MSTP device, is this supported? Resolution An Automation Server operating as a device on a third party BACnet MSTP network is NOT a supported solution. An MSTP network needs to be managed and usually accessed from a network master, the AS is designed to be that device. The Automation Server is supported as the management and routing device for an MSTP network. From the PIC statement, an Automation Server will operate as a MSTP Master.

Issue How is the Real Time Clock (RTC) maintained when a Automation Server loses power since there is no battery on the AS. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Automation Server (AS-P, AS-B, AS) Real-time clock Cause Documentation Resolution Each Automation Server has a dedicated capacitor that backs up the RTC chip.  Please consult the tables below or use the Webhelp links and search for 'Real-time clock':-   AS-P Real-time clock Accuracy in runtime mode NTP server Accuracy in backup mode, at 25 °C (77 °F) +/-52 seconds per month Backup time, at 25 °C (77 °F) 10 days   AS-B Real-time clock Accuracy in runtime mode NTP server Accuracy in backup mode, at 25 °C (77 °F) +/-52 seconds per month Backup time, at 25 °C (77 °F) 10 days   AS Real-time clock Accuracy, at 25 °C (77 °F) 47 to +73 seconds per month Backup time, at 25 °C (77 °F) 30 days

Issue Need to use a controller that has no BACnet functionality due to network security limitations on site. Environment Continuum bCX1-CR-INF (bCX9640) Cause A customer has a site with restrictive network security requirements and BACnet devices (or any other open protocol) are not allowed. Resolution The bCX9640 is an Infinet protocol controller only. This version of the bCX firmware does not have the BACnet stack installed, and there are no BACnet points able to be created in this controller. You will be fine to use this controller where BACnet support is not required or allowed.

Issue While moving a SmartX Controller from one AS-P to another, there is an error stating "The following devices appear to be hosted by another server. In order to host them, you must first right click the device and select 'Clear host information' ".   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Multi-purpose Controller Building Operation Multi-purpose VAV Building Operation IP-IO Building Operation Room Controller Cause SmartX controllers can only be hosted by one automation server at a time. Resolution Use the Device Discovery tab in the AS-P Once the MP is found, right-click on the device Select clear host information