Building Automation Knowledge Base

Issue After an upgrade to EBO version 3 the  "Alarm State Sort Order" in EBO Webstation is not following the  "Alarm State Sort Order" set in Workstation for certain Alarm Views. Workstation:   Webstation: Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Webstation version 3.0 and later Cause This issue is only seen on Alarm views upgraded from a version earlier than 1.9 to EBO 3.0 or later The problem is that in EBO version 1.9 Webstation did not follow the sort order for Workstation, back then the sort order in the alarm view in Workstation and Webstation was separated. And the default sort order in Webstation was "Triggered time" when upgrading to version 3 the upgrade does not change the sort order for Webstation. So after the upgrade the sort order in the alarm view is "Triggered time" and it will not follow the sort order from Workstation.    Resolution In EBO Webstation version 3 click on the "Filter" button in the Alarm view. Click on "Sort" and remove "Triggered time", click OK In Workstation open the Alarm view and right-click, Open Alarm view settings and click on "Reset standard layout to standard default"  

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue In some cases the event and trend database can grow really big although not all the space in the files is used Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment SQLite Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause Frequent inserts, updates, and deletes can cause the database file to become fragmented - where data for a single table or index is scattered around the database file. Running VACUUM ensures that each table and index is largely stored contiguously within the database file. In some cases, VACUUM may also reduce the number of partially filled pages in the database, reducing the size of the database file further. Read further information here: https://www.sqlite.org/lang_vacuum.html Resolution Stop the Enterprise Server Open SQLiteStudio (link to download) Select "Databases" --> "Add database" Select the event.db or trend.db file from the "historical" folder of the SmartStruxure database folder Execute the following command: vacuum;

Issue How to configure PCT memory in Hyper-V. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Project Configuration Tool. Hyper-V Cause There is more memory available but PCT 2.0 can't start more servers. Example: Users with over 8 GB of memory can't start more than 36 servers.  Resolution This is because the default memory is set to 8GB, approximately 36 servers. (8GB - 2GB)/.170 GB = 36 server. Open the Hyper-V Manager In the left panel, right-click on "pct" and select Settings. The Setting dialog box opens. In the left pane, under Hardware, select the Memory item. The memory settings open in the right panel. The RAM shows 8192 MB(8 GB * 1024 = 8192 MB), the "Enable Dynamic Memory box" is checked, the Minimum RAM is 8192 MB and the Maximum RAM is 262144 MB(256GB *1024 = 262144 MB).    Enter the amount of memory assigned to PCT, 10240 MB(10 GB) in the example. If the "Enable Dynamic Memory" box is unchecked, the memory assigned to PCT will be 10240 MB. If the "Enable Dynamic Memory" box is checked, the memory assigned to PCT will be between 8 GB and 10 GB(not 256 GB or other amount because the limitation is set at 10 GB from the RAM setting above). R&D recommends not using "Enable Dynamic Memory".   Helpful Link: PCT 2.0 memory usage calculation

Issue The "BACnet device proxy base" type is missing in the Search type after EBO 4.0 Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment EcoStruxure Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation SmartX Living Space Sensor BACnet B3 IA SE8000 VT8000 Cause The "BACnet device proxy base" was removed from EBO 5.x and later. Resolution To search for a specific type, add individual type to "Include types" For example 'BACnet device' will return all 3rd party (generic) BACnet devices. 'SpaceLogic Series Device' will return all MP and RP devices. Sample Search all BACnet devices(excluding AS/ES) XML attached

Issue The following record is seen in trace logs of EBO servers that have a BACnet Interface:   nsp.pin.BACnet.VariableProperty PollingVariableProperty: variable is a zomby!! Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Edge Server Cause A zomby variable is the BACnet plugin coming across an object that will be deleted but has not yet. Resolution No further action is required.

  Issue When attempting to add a downstream device to an SSC the error "exception of type \'Feenics.Keep.DomainModel.KeepException\' was thrown" Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment  Access Expert V3 Cause The SSC has a limitation of 32 downstream devices no matter what port(s) are being used either RS485 or virtual.  Resolution The SSC specification data sheet indicates the SSC can manage up to 64 downstream devices. However, R&D has corrected our understanding of this limitation which is only 32 downstream devices. Attempting to add a 33rd downstream device will result in the   \'Feenics.Keep.DomainModel.KeepException\' error. An additional SSC or Mercury upstream controller will be necessary to commission greater than 32  downstream devices.   From R&D: "The SSC can support a Total of 32 downstream devices no matter what port they are connected to either RS485 or Virtual. The SSC can also support 64 doors total." SSC data specification sheet  *Note: The specification sheet will be corrected in the future by the Product Owner.

Issue Servers not visible after upgrade due to permission change Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server ES Enterprise Central EC Cause The Domain Local Group " Reports Administrators" is removed when an ES is upgraded to v4.0 or greater. This Group is automatically deleted during the upgrade because Report Server is not supported in v4.0 or greater. It is possible for local users to be selected as User Group members of " Reports Administrators", so the permissions for these users may change after the upgrade. This is not good practice, only the Reports Server login user should be part of the " Reports Administrators" Group " After the upgrade the Group "Reports Administrators" is removed and the Servers are not accessible Resolution Any users that were part of Group "Reports Administrators" should be reassessed and their permissions corrected 

Issue On many occasions with PC upgrades and replacements, there is the need to re-download the link for the application software as it gets somewhat difficult to know where to go and find it from the Feenics website Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert Hosted software V3 Cause Unable to find the correct link Resolution The following steps show the URL address that is needed as well as how to log on to the instance once the software is downloaded and installed: 1. Enter https://www.feenics.com/training/lesson/downloads/ on internet browser as seen  2. Once completed and installed, launch the app and log on the instance

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue Using DSS to import PhotoIDTemplate (Users | Photos | Card Templates in SX) requires that you use the Database ID for the object you wish to use. Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert Environment Security Expert Server Cause This information is not readily visible in Security Expert, but it is found in the Card Template's Database ID (dbo.FloorPlanID | FloorPlanID) Resolution Use the template's name instead of the Card Template's Database ID   Modify the appropriate column in the CSV file to specify the name of the template rather than its ID In the Data Sync application, where you are mapping that CSV column (i.e. column 14), go to the Advanced Column and click the ellipsis button [...]. A dialogue window will pop up. Go to the Find ID section and enable the Target Field Record Type option. Next to this option, use the drop-down list to select "Floor Plans". Click "OK" button to close the dialogue window. Click Save. This will save the modified Settings.xml file. Sync the CSV file and confirm by checking the results.

Issue Using Download Wizard 32 with Application set to Clear Memory, one will get an error that "The application file could not be found! Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Workstation Xenta Programmable Controller Cause EBO Workstation does not include the Lonm<Model Number>.MTA file. Resolution There are two solutions: Create a minimal MTA file for the device type. Open Menta Editor Change the device specification for the appropriate Xenta Type. Add one PVR block Save the file. In DWiz, change Application selection to Download New and Browse in the new file. Perform the steps again with the expected files in the same folder as DWiz. Download the attached Lonm.zip (derived from Menta 5.1.9) Extract the files in the zip to the same Workstation folder where Dwiz.exe is found. Sample Location: "C:\Program Files (x86)\Schneider Electric EcoStruxure\Building Operation 3.2\WorkStation\DWiz.exe" Perform the download again with the same Clear Memory selection under the Application section.

Warning Hazard of Electric Shock: Remove all power from all devices before removing any covers or doors of the system. Disconnect power at the device and at the power source. Electrostatic Discharge Required: Always discharge static electricity from your person by touching metal prior to handling any hardware. Failure to do so may result in damage to devices. Issue ACX57xx Continuum controller frequently reboots itself, loses configuration and/or stop granting access to doors until reloaded.     In the controller error log frequent and spontaneous re-starts of the controller can be observed without an apparent cause such as power failure for example.     Here is another error log from different controller with same issue, a similar signature can be observed in the following screen shot   Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum ACX 2 Controller Continuum ACX 4 Controller Cause Electrical noise coming from door striker corrupting controller's memory.   Resolution An external Varistor may be installed for Noise Suppression of a Door Strike. Here is a link to a part that may be used for this purpose:   https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/bourns-inc./MOV-07D470KTR/13420467?utm_adgroup=General&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMax:%20Smart%20Shopping_Product_Zombie%20SKUS&utm_term=&utm_content=General&gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRei7ZmpR8CRYf12zRH1bfTIK7GHk3NC6XStbVoCBrPizkZvEPDlCaFEaAjLFEALw_wcB    The part should be installed at the Door Strike, from the switched 24VDC terminal to the common 24VDC terminal, like this:  

Warning Potential for Data Loss: The steps detailed in the resolution of this article may result in a loss of critical data if not performed properly. Before beginning these steps, make sure all important data is backed up in the event of data loss. If you are unsure or unfamiliar with any complex steps detailed in this article, please contact Product Support for assistance. Issue I/NET transitioned User ID Credentials that have non-numerical characters (like a dash "-") cannot be modified in the Security Expert Client Product Line EcoStruxure Security Expert,TAC INET Environment Security Expert Controller Cause Security Expert Client does not allow User ID Credentials with non-numerical characters with a dash (-) to be modified Resolution Method 1: Delete the dash from the User ID Credential the first time you need to make any other edit to that user in SX. Click Save.   Method 2: Make a backup of the existing SX database in case you want to restore what you had. Use the latest version of the INET Database Transition Tool to re-transition ONLY Users. Note: Any adjustments you've made to the User's Access Levels in SX since the original transition from INET will be lost. You will need to make those adjustments again.

  Issue Information needed to work with Access Expert Custom Forms Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert V3 Hosted Cause Access Expert Custom Form configuration Resolution Custom Forms Overview Forms can be designed and applied to maintain additional people & reader information outside of traditional documentation or notes. Unlimited customer forms/fields can be added to the system and associated with a person or reader. The layout of the forms can be built to accommodate customer needs and can even be segmented. A good practice is to group additional information into common groupings such as Car Information, Health Information or Department Information. This type of approach will make the data entry easier. Information captured in a Custom Form can also be searched on and reported on. Once a custom form is created it will be available for use from either the person menu or the reader menu. Custom fields can then be utilized for applications such as customizing people reports, capturing additional information about employees, doing system searches as well as badge designing.   New Custom Form To start creating a custom form: Select the ‘General Configuration’ Select "Custom Forms”. Click “Add Custom Form”. Choose which editor the form will apply Enter the name of the Custom Form in the Application Name. (OPTIONAL) Choose the casing for the form. This is only important when leveraging the API or LDAP integration. Click “Save” or “Save & Close”. Below is an example of a Custom Form that has been created. The header, fields, titles, and placement of information on the form is customizable by clicking, dragging and dropping. The initial series of editors that support the creation of the form are across the top of the screen. Add Text Box – Adds a free form text box. Add Combo Box – Adds a free form text box that allows for multiple pre-selected entries from a picklist. Add Date Time – Adds a time and date entry box. Add CheckBox – Adds a checkmark box. Add Group Box – Adds a split box where the top section can be used as a title then other fields can be added. Add Header – Adds a header field that can be used for a single line title. Group Box When one of the box types is added to the form, the Properties section can be used to apply additional information and modify the data as it resides in the box. Every Content field that is added to a Custom Form must have a name. In this example, we will add a Group Box to capture information about an employee. Clicking the ‘Add Group Box’ provided the initial field. The title was applied by clicking the blank box and adding the name in the Properties editor under Content. This information can also be positioned to the left, center, stretched or to the right. The overall box can be enlarged by clicking the perimeter and then dragging to the desired size. Text Box Additional fields of information can be added to the Group Box by clicking on the desired data field type and it is applied to the Group Box. To ensure the new field is added inside the perimeter of the Group Box make sure to click inside the Group Box prior to selecting the data field. The new field can be dragged into the Group Box if it is added outside the group box. Once the field is added to the Group Box the Properties editor will allow the same type of modifications to be made. Once the new blank field is added you can click into the Header field under Content to apply a descriptive name. This same process can be repeated to add as many fields as needed.   Combo Box A Combo Box is added to a Custom Form just like the other box types. With a Combo Box, the Properties editor will display a new field called Items. Clicking the “…” will allow the operator to add the information that will be available when data entry is being performed. The completed form will look like this from the custom data menu on the cardholder.

  Issue Access Expert Information is needed for Elevator Access Levels Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert V3 Hosted Cause Access Expert Elevator Access Level configuration information  Resolution Overview The Elevator Access Levels are used to determine when a person can access certain floors. Floors can be assigned scheduled access within the Elevator Access Level to determine what floors a person has permissions to gain access to.   Elevator Access Levels Elevator Access Levels use the same Schedules as other aspects of the Keep system. Floors can be added by individual numbers or by groups of numbers with a “-“ between them.  It is important to note that People are not added to the Elevator Access Level. People are added to the Access Level for either traditional reader-controlled points such as doors or gates while at the same time being granted access to the reader controlling elevator access. This approach means that management of where and when a person can go places can all be controlled from one page.   Creating Elevator Access Levels To create a new Elevator Access Level: Select the ‘Access Configuration’ tab. Choose the “Elevator Access” button From the menu. Click “Add Elevator Access Level”. Enter a Display Name. (OPTIONAL) Select a Default Reader Mapping. Select “Add Elevator Floor Entry”. Select a Schedule. Enter the desired Floor Numbers. Click “Save” or “Save & Close”.   The Default Reader Mapping will apply the floor names assigned at the Elevator Reading Page to all readers that use the Elevator Access Level. This also allows for the selection of floors for the Elevator Access Level based on the named floors.   To Assign an Elevator Access Level: Select the ‘Access Configuration’ tab. Select “Access Levels” from the Menu. Open the desired Access Level. Select “View Elevator Access”. Click “Add Elevator Access Level Entry”. Choose an Elevator Access Level & associated Elevator Reader.  Click “Save” or “Save & Close”.   It is important to note the flow of the different type of Access Levels: Elevator Access Levels are applied to Access Levels. Access Levels are applied to People.

Issue   A site has multiple locations in its instance. The goal is to restrict objects for a User in other locations by using permissions and tags which allow certain objects only for the local instance. The User also requires access to Event History, Live Monitoring and Floor plans.   After setting User permissions for specific objects, the object permissions work as expected, however clicking on Event History, Live Monitoring or a Floor plan shows: 'An error has occurred in the Live monitoring document while trying to execute initialize' Or Access Expert will show one of the following errors depending on which event object was selected: 'An error has occurred in the Event History document while trying to execute initialize' 'An error has occurred in the Floor Plan document while trying to execute initialize'   Product Line EcoStruxure Access Expert Environment Access Expert V3 Hosted Cause Event-level permissions function differently than object-level permissions Resolution User permissions set up with tags to restrict access to other locations will work as expected with objects like hardware, but these restrictions will not work with event objects.   The options to accomplish this are: 1. Buy an enterprise license and divide up the sites with their own instance. Each location should be represented by a shared instance with its controllers configured. Those controllers will publish their event to only their instances which can be controlled using permissions. This is the preferred method.   2. Allow ALL Type permissions for the hardware and event objects to be accessed. Using this method allows the event objects to work, but allows Users from other locations to access the hardware.   Event-level objects use an entirely different mechanism than regular objects. The technology under the hood requires that an enterprise license be used to accomplish event-level permission restrictions.

Issue When a local user belonging to the administrator group on an AS-P is logged in to the AS-P using Workstation the user can for example via a Link in a graphic access the system folder in the ES the AS-P is connected to.  The local user in the AS-P can even change the admin password on the ES. How can this be avoided? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Enterprise Server Cause In EBO v3.2.1 and later versions, it is possible to restrict access of the logged-in user to only the server that they are logged into, i.e. it is possible to prevent access to the ES\Servers folder when logged directly into an AS-P that is a sub server of the ES, thus preventing access to the whole system. Resolution In the ES Control Panel open Security Settings: Mark the option "Restrict root permission to logged in server"

Issue The sequence numbers for Alarm Events are changing daily for all active alarms in the system. This can be a problem for applications using sequence number as alarm identifier. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server. Building Operation Automation Server Premium Cause Every night there is a cleanup in the alarm table and alarms can then get new sequence numbers. Every night historic updates with old time stamps are removed in the alarm table.   When this cleanup takes place, there is a reorganization of sequence numbers of current alarms. They all get a new sequence number.   The new sequence numbers are always higher than the latest sequence number before the cleanup. Resolution Do not use alarm sequence number for alarm identifier, use triggered time stamp instead.

Issue The following error message appears when trying to change the system security settings of an Enterprise Server in Webstation:   An error has occurred Object protected ~/System/Security Manager/Global Security Settings     In Workstation the same settings are disabled (greyed out) and cannot be edited at all:   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Enterprise Server Building Operation Webstation Building Operation Workstation Cause The probable cause of this issue is that the Enterprise server is part of an EC - ES multiserver system setup. Then some settings are in a Lead - Shadow relationship and can only be controlled from the top EC (Enterprise Central) server. Resolution Edit these settings on the top Enterprise Central server.

Issue An AS-P (SpaceLogic Server) is crashing; just before the crash, the memory usage in the AS-P increases until it reaches a level where the AS-P crash.  Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation  Environment Building Operation Automation Server Premium (AS-P) Cause The issue was caused by a Notification report which was located in the ES to which the AS-P was connected, Every time this report was run, the AS-P crashed after a while.  This report included a search of all Modbus points in the system and all properties of the Modbus points. When running the report, the ES was setting up a lot of subscriptions to the AS-P in a very short time period. The AS-P could not handle this huge amount of subscriptions and crashed after a while when trying to process all subscriptions from the ES. Resolution In this particular case, the AS-P had around 2000 Modbus points. When the Notification report was running, the search for these 2000 Modbus points and all properties, which were around 20 per Modbus point, caused the ES to set up around 40 000 (2000*20) subscriptions to the AS-P in a very short time period, and it crashed. To solve this issue, the number of Modbus points in the AS-P was reduced to below 1000, and then the AS-P could handle the number of subscriptions (1000*20=20000) with no crash.   When running a Notification report, including a search, be careful not to search for too many objects and properties in the same report, like in the example above when a search was done for all Modbus objects and properties in an Automation Server.   This is only a problem when a search is done via a Notification report if doing a search from Workstation that is made differently and will not set up a subscription in the same way.

Issue The room controller is replaced on-site, and you need to copy the same configuration of the faulty Controller. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation, EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Building Operation Workstation Building Operation Automation Server SSL SE8000 SSL SE7000 Cause The wrong file format might have been used Resolution This Video explains detailed steps to copy the configuration to a new or a replacement controller:   Please note that the older controller will probably have an older firmware version, and thus, you might have to downgrade the new controller to the same version. Also, note you can’t downgrade to below 2.0.0. If the older controller has a version before 2.0.0, this solution will not work and will have to configure the new one manually. Only After the configuration has been transferred successfully you can upgrade the controller to a new firmware version.