Building Automation Knowledge Base

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 Services for assistance. Issue Procedure for converting a bCX9640 to a CX9680 (NC2) Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation bCX9640 CX9680 (NC2) Cause Documentation Resolution This article provides some guidelines for converting a bCX9640 to a CX9680 in the field. As of version 1.94 CyberStation does not automatically convert a bCX9640 to a CX9680, such conversion while complex and error prone can be done manually.   DISCLAIMER: Be aware that due to the differences between the two models not everything can be converted; certain items may have to be re-created from scratch in the new CX9680 controller. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BCX9640 AND CX9680   Feature bCX9640 CX9680 1 System Variables 47 65 2 Comm Ports 2 4 3 IO Expansion Modules IOU Modules 4 Infinet 1 2 5 Access Control No Yes 6 UPS Support No Yes 7 Display Module Support Yes No   Procedure: Make sure you have a recent backup of the SQL ContinuumDB as a precaution. From CyberStation send the bCX including children to a text file, the dump file can be later used for reference. Take note of the bCX9640’s name, AccNetID and network settings. Put the CyberStation in offline edit mode and delete the bCX9640 then create the CX9680 using the exact Name, ACCNetId and network settings as the deleted bCX. After creating the new controller object it will come online, at this point you are still communicating with the bCX9640 hardware. In the ‘Send to Database’ options make sure to select ‘Save attached objects and controllers’ then select the new controller in the Continuum explorer and perform a ‘Sent to database’, depending on how many Infinet devices you have this make take a while. When the send to database operation has completed you are ready to remove the bCX9680 hardware and connect the CX9680 hardware. After disconnecting the bCX from the network commission the CX9680 hardware with the same AccNetID and network settings as the bCX it is replacing. When the new hardware comes online reload it from Continuum making sure you don’t reload the Infinet devices (Reload attached objects but not attached controllers)   At this point you have converted the bCX9640 to a CX9680, the next steps in the process is fixing the items that do not convert properly due to the differences between the two controllers. LCD Display Configuration If the bCX has an display module attached all configuration related to the display module must be removed as the CX9680 does not support it. Fixing IO If the bCX had IO then appropriate IOU modules must be configured in the CX9680. In some cases points may have to be moved to a different IOU. For example if you were using a xPBD4 (which has both inputs and outputs) then you’ll have to put the inputs and outputs on different IOU modules as there is not an IOU module that is the equivalent of the xPBD4. Fixing References Any references in programs/functions to objects that do not exist in the CX9680 must be manually removed/fixed. For example the CX9680 does not have some system variables supported in the bCX such as all the system variables related to the display module (ACCLCDBeeper etc) Other items that need partial or complete manual fixing include… Alarms, links will convert ok, but references to Graphics, Program, Video may be have to be re-assigned. Extended logging   Use the dump file created on step #2 for reference when manually re-entering lost configuration.   Article as a document: Procedure For Converting a bCX9640 to a CX9680

Issue Prior to XBuilder 5.1.1, it was not possible to change the type of an Xenta Server in an XBuilder project once it had been created.  Sometimes there is a need to move the project to a different type of Xenta Server without losing all the links and bindings within the project. Environment Xenta Server XBuilder 5.1.0 or earlier Xenta 511, 527, 555, 701, 711, 721, 731, 913 Cause In XBuilder 5.1.0 or earlier, it is not possible to edit the Xenta Server type in the network pane of the XBuilder project Resolution Upgrading to Vista/XBuilder 5.1.1 or later will allow you to easily change the device type directly from XBuilder.  Note that this must be done from an XBuilder project that is saved to the computer. If the project is in a Vista database start by opening the XBuilder project, clicking on File > Save as and then save it to the computer. Then, close XBuilder, reopen XBuilder and open up the saved copy of the XBuilder project from the PC. In the XBuilder Project menu select 'Change Target type...'.  Choose your preferred target device from the drop-down list.   If it is not possible to upgrade, the following instructions allow an XBuilder project to be transferred to a different type of Xenta Server without losing graphic bindings or bindings between objects on the System pane and the Network pane.  The one proviso is that the target Xenta Server's hardware must be able to support any network defined in the source project and have the same or better Menta and User graphic capabilities.   There are many different combinations of Server types and BMS platforms that these instructions could apply to in general.   The example given here transfers an Xenta 555 project to an Xenta 731.  The Xenta 555 has a Lonworks network and a Modbus network and is part of a Vista database.   Creating the Xenta 731 in the Vista database: Open the Vista database containing the Xenta 555 project. Right-click on the 555 and select Edit from the dropdown menu. The XBuilder project opens.  Keep this open for the following steps. In the Vista database create a new Xenta 731.  The name is not important but it should be similar but not identical to the 555 it will replace. Transferring the Lonworks network to the Xenta 731: In Vista, drag and drop the LON network from the 555 to the 731. Right-click on the 731 and select Edit from the dropdown menu. The 731 project opens in a new instance of XBuilder.  Rename the default folder in the system pane to the same name as the top level folder in the 555 project. In the 731 project right-click on the LON object in the Network pane.  Select 'Refresh network from TAC Vista'. Transferring the Modbus network to the Xenta 731: In the 555 project, right-click a Modbus device and select 'Edit Device template' When the device editor opens, select File | Save as.. Save the file in the default location with the default name. Repeat steps 2 to 3 for all Modbus devices in the network. In the 731 project recreate the Modbus network using the templates just saved.     Transferring the System objects to the Xenta 731: In the 555 project, right-click an object below the top level folder and select 'Copy'. Move focus to the 731 project, right-click on the top level folder and select 'Paste'. Repeat steps 1 and 2 for each object and folder below the top level in the 555 project.  Selecting a folder also selects all the objects and folders beneath it.  Although it is possible to copy the top level folder in the 555 project, it is not possible to paste it into the 731 project. Graphics bindings are retained and the reference paths are automatically updated with the new network tree i.e. 'TAC_Xenta_555' is replaced with 'TAC_Xenta_731'. Some object bindings will be broken e.g. Time objects.  These must be rebound manually. When all objects have been copied across and rebound if necessary, close the 555 project. Deleting the Xenta 555 and downloading the project to the Xenta 731: In the Vista database, delete the Xenta 555. Generate the 731 project.  There will be a warning message offering to copy the original TGML files to the new default location.  Select 'Yes'. The 731 project should now generate without errors. Download the project to the Xenta 731.   If the 555 only contains a Modbus network, a similar methodology will also work with standalone 555 and 731 projects.  

Issue What was the repeater used on MicroSmart communication trunks? Environment DMS MicroSmart (all revisions) Cause Information on a discontinued product line Resolution The typical repeater installed was Model # RPTR-DMS-WW.  There are other model numbers for trunks installed with fiber. Click here to view the Repeater Installation Instructions (F-25846).

Issue For troubleshooting and information gathering database queries are useful Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Continuum Cyberstation Microsoft SQL Cause At times engineers and onsite techs need some queries to gather information for troubleshooting or to correct issues. Resolution Click here to download some sample read only queries

Issue Archiving historical information Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Enterprise Server Automation Serve Workstation Cause Options for archiving historical information Resolution Archiving of historical data is available via WorkStation and Enterprise Server or WebReports Server. (Archiving is not available via Automation Server or WebStation, also the IE built in option to "Export to Microsoft Excel" has not been implemented) The Archive options on the ES are shown below. A manual archive can be forced by right clicking on "Archive Settings" and choosing "Actions" then "Create archive(s) now" NOTE1 - CSV option currently produces a Semicolon Separated Value file. NOTE2 - Individual logs can be saved to a CSV or XML file from an AS or ES within WorkStation only, see How to Export a Trend Log List as a .csv File.   The .CSV file that is used by SBO to export logs uses a semi colon to separate the fields. This makes it suitable for use in all countries around the world. Some countries use the comma to signify decimal places, so they would show a temperature of 22.5 DegC as 22,5 DegC which would confuse a CSV import with Comma delimiters. CSV files can have many delimiter characters not just commas. To show the formatted data in Microsoft Excel the following options can be used: One option is to rename the SBO log file as a .TXT file, then from Microsoft Excel, go to Open a file and select the type from the drop down list a "Text file". Browse to your log file and press Open. It will then start the Text Import Wizard. Choose the "Delimited" option and go to the next page. Here select the "Semicolon" option, select next, choose a date format and press finish. This will show the data formatted in columns as shown in the manual.   A second way to show the data is to open the .csv file in Microsoft Excel where all the data will be shown as text in the first column as per your description. Select the first column. Then go to the "Data" tab and start the "Text to Columns" Wizard. Select "Delimited" Original Data Type. Press Next. Select the "Semicolon" as the delimiter. Press Next. Change the date format if required and press Finish. This will also show the data in individual cells. Also other vendors Open Office applications may be used that unlike Microsoft Excel will allow semicolon delimited files to be opened directly.

Issue Continuum reports an Unknown Model Number error. Product Line Andover Continuum Environment Controller Model number Bootloader Learn Cause Possible reasons why Continuum may report an Unknown Model Number error. Controller is in bootloader mode. Controller is not responding fast enough due to a comm issue. The controller type saved in the Continuum database is different from the controller type physically installed. The total number of controllers exceeds the maximum number of nodes allowed on the Master. The baud rate of the bLink is not correctly set for the MSTP bus. The comm bus is not stable. Problems introduced to the bus due to a bad controller or electrical interference. Resolution Communication issue must be troubleshot by using a combination of Controller error logs and LAN capture analysis. A controller can be brought out of bootloader mode by flashing the firmware.  Create the device manually. Attempt to learn the controller onto the bus with no other controllers attached Correct misaligned baud rate settings. Run an ACCTrace at the Workstation during a learn to detect duplicate IDs. Other articles that address this issue: Unknown model number error when learning I2/b3 device Learn Process stopped and get an error "Can not learn this controller, it contains an unknown model number"

Issue PCT workstation displays message “Server version not compatible with client", when restoring a server configuration with new IDs. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Buildings Operation Project Configuration Tool Cause When backing up and restoring an AS-P/AS-B with a new ID in PCT at EBO 3.2.2.61, when logging back on with PCT using the installed EBO workstation,  the message “Server version not compatible with client" is displayed Resolution PCT is the offline programming tool but, it launches the workstation installed on the computer. If the workstation version on the computer is EBO 3.2.2.61, Hotfix 3.2.2.4002 (CP3) is required to be installed on the computer running PCT, taking the computer’s installed workstation version to 3.2.2.4002.

Issue I/A Series G3 BACnet Server (Export) Operation Environment I/A Series G3 Cause Integration to I/A Series G3 from a 3rd party BACnet system Resolution If the I/A Series host (ENS or ENC) is licensed as a BACnet server, you can export any number of selected types of objects in the station (regardless of location) to appear as BACnet objects. As such, these objects can service client requests from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects.  The following I/A Series G3 objects can be exported as BACnet objects (extracted from the Niagara Ax BACnet Guide).    You use the Bacnet Export Manager to export Niagara objects for BACnet. To access the Bacnet Export Manager, go to 'BacnetNetwork' > 'Local Device' and double click on the 'Export Table' under the Local Device.  You can find details on using the Bacnet Export Manager on pages 4-57 to 4-71 of the Niagara Ax BACnet Guide. The Niagara Ax BACnet Guide is installed with G3 and can be found in \niagara\niagara-3.x.xx\docs.   can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects. from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects. (regardless of location) to appear as BACnet objects. As such, these objects can service client requests from any networked BACnet devices. Exporting of Niagara schedules and calendars is included. Histories can be exported also, where they appear externally as BACnet Trend Log objects.

Issue RTD-DI-16 temperature input range is -50C to 150C, some applications require a wider range. Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation. Environment Building Operation Automation Server Building Operation Automation Server Premium Building Operation I/O Module 16 Ch RTD Cause Script program sample and guidelines needed for implementing resistance to temperature table lookup and further temperature calculation using linear interpolation. Resolution We will present two solutions, the first solution is very simple to implement but at the expense of accuracy. The second solution retains the 0.3C accuracy of the native RTD inputs. For simplicity, both solutions implement a range of -50C to 250C using the RTD Resistance electrical type to convert resistance to temperature, the program can be easily modified to implement a wider range.     SOLUTION #1 This solution simply uses the conversion settings of the RTD-Resistive input to convert from Ohms to Degrees C. Because the change in resistance is not exactly linear across the temperature range, the accuracy of the converted value varies across the range as much as +/- 4 degrees C      STEPS TO IMPLEMENT SOLUTION #1 Under the RTD-DI-16 IO module, create RTD-2W-Resistive input. Change the units to degrees Celsius. Select the sensor class, in this example, we are using the pt100 sensor. Look up the resistance value in the table for -50C and  250C and set the upper/low-level reliability. (see attached R versus T table from Omega) Use values from step #4 to set the input's conversion electrical scale.  Set the engineering scale top/bottom to 250 and -50 respectively.    STEPS TO IMPLEMENT SOLUTION #2 Under the RTD-DI-16 IO module, create RTD-2W-Resistive input. Look up the resistance value in the table for -50C and  250C and set the upper/low-level reliability. (see attached R versus T table from Omega) In the Automation Server, create an Analog Value object. This object will receive the calculated temperature value from the Script program. Set the AV units to degrees C In the Automation Server create a Script program, this program will read the resistance from the input object, look up the corresponding temperature range in the table, and then using linear interpolation calculates the temperature to an accuracy of +/- 0.3C. To ensure the program when runs when necessary, configure the program's flow type for fall thru and trigger the program off of the RTD-2W-Resistive input. Bind the RTD-2W-Resistive input and the Analog Value in the Script program as Numeric Input and Numeric Output respectively.  Here is the code for the script program   'This program uses RTD temperature vs. resistance table combined with linear interpolation 'to implement RTD temperature input over the range -50C to 250C 'Program Flow Type is FallThru 'Program is triggered by the RTD resistance input. 'This program is provided as a sample for illustration purposes, it is not intended to be a complete solution 'SE PSS v1.0 101010111110 Numeric Input RTD_Raw 'the RTD Resistance input where the RTD sensor is connected Numeric Output RTD_Temp 'Analog Value that receives the calculated temperature Numeric RTD_R[31]'Resistance to Numeric RTD_T[31]'temperature table for 100 Ohms based sensor 'NOTE: Since the resistance value changes in a nearly linear way over any 10 degree section 'of the table, we can use 10 degree increments of resistance/temperature values and apply linear 'interpolation to calculate readings in between those values, this method greatly reduces the size 'of the table in the program while maintaining very good accuracy. 'Accuracy is +/-0.3C for 100 Ohms based sensors and can be improved to +/-0.03C if 1000 Ohms based sensor used. Numeric n, sLow, sHigh,sMid Line INIT 'Due to limitations in Script we will use 2 arrays to implement the resistance to temperature table. RTD_R[1]=80.31 RTD_R[2]=84.27 RTD_R[3]=88.22 RTD_R[4]=92.16 RTD_R[5]=96.09 RTD_R[6]=100 RTD_R[7]=103.9 RTD_R[8]=107.79 RTD_R[9]=111.67 RTD_R[10]=115.54 RTD_R[11]=119.4 RTD_R[12]=123.24 RTD_R[13]=127.08 RTD_R[14]=130.9 RTD_R[15]=134.71 RTD_R[16]=138.51 RTD_R[17]=142.29 RTD_R[18]=146.07 RTD_R[19]=149.83 RTD_R[20]=153.58 RTD_R[21]=157.33 RTD_R[22]=161.05 RTD_R[23]=164.77 RTD_R[24]=168.48 RTD_R[25]=172.17 RTD_R[26]=175.86 RTD_R[27]=179.53 RTD_R[28]=183.19 RTD_R[29]=186.84 RTD_R[30]=190.47 RTD_R[31]=194.1 'The temperature array could be easily omitted since once we have the first array index (n) we could easily calculate 'the corresponding temperature value, I have kept it for the purpose of simplicity. RTD_T[1]=-50 RTD_T[2]=-40 RTD_T[3]=-30 RTD_T[4]=-20 RTD_T[5]=-10 RTD_T[6]=0 RTD_T[7]=10 RTD_T[8]=20 RTD_T[9]=30 RTD_T[10]=40 RTD_T[11]=50 RTD_T[12]=60 RTD_T[13]=70 RTD_T[14]=80 RTD_T[15]=90 RTD_T[16]=100 RTD_T[17]=110 RTD_T[18]=120 RTD_T[19]=130 RTD_T[20]=140 RTD_T[21]=150 RTD_T[22]=160 RTD_T[23]=170 RTD_T[24]=180 RTD_T[25]=190 RTD_T[26]=200 RTD_T[27]=210 RTD_T[28]=220 RTD_T[29]=230 RTD_T[30]=240 RTD_T[31]=250 n=0 sLow = 1 sHigh = MaxItem(RTD_R) 'Initialize to the size of the table Line calculateTemp 'Bottom of range If RTD_Raw <= RTD_R[1] then RTD_Temp = -50.0 Stop Endif 'Top of range If RTD_Raw >= RTD_R[sHigh] then RTD_Temp = 250.0 Stop Endif 'Find the resistance input reading in the table using a binary search 'NOTE: 'In our case, what we are looking for is the lower value of the resistance range in the table that 'the input reading falls under. 'EXAMPLE if input value is 160.9 Ohms then it is in the range of RTD_R[21]=157.33 AND RTD_R[22]=161.05 'so the binary search will give us 21 While(1) If sHigh < sLow then n=sHigh 'the input value is not in the table but we now have RTD_R[n] of the range it is within break Endif 'calculate the mid point sMid = Round(sLow + (sHigh - sLow) / 2) if RTD_R[sMid] < RTD_Raw then sLow = sMid + 1 'if read value is larger then look again in upper half if RTD_R[sMid] > RTD_Raw then sHigh = sMid - 1 'if read value is smaller then look again in lower half if RTD_R[sMid] = RTD_Raw then n = sMid 'we've located the input value in the table, this is actually the exception Break endIf EndWhile 'Now, use linear interpolation to calculate the temperature If n > 0 Then RTD_Temp = (RTD_T[n+1]-RTD_T[n])*(RTD_Raw-RTD_R[n])/(RTD_R[n+1]-RTD_R[n])+RTD_T[n] Endif Stop Line E stop   NOTE: The accuracy of the temperature reading can be further improved by the use of 1000 Ohms based sensors as well as the use of 3 wire sensors so that the resistance of the leading wires can be taken into account. If 1000 Ohms based sensors are used then the resistance values in the table implemented in the Script program must be multiplied by 10

Issue It would be helpful if the MAC Address of an SP-C could be worked out when the physical controller is not readily accessible or has not yet been delivered Product Line Security Expert Environment SP-C Cause Cases may arise where a newly ordered or existing SP-C is going into a system but no MAC address is known.  MAC addresses are often required in order to obtain an IP address for a project.   The MAC address is not shown when connecting into the SP-Cs web browser (although the Serial Number is) and can only be shown via an Arp in the correct section of the network Resolution In normal circumstances each SP-C should have a Label on it which indicates the MAC address in full However in cases where the Label is not accessible it can also be derived from the Serial Number which can be viewed in the SP-C web browser, preceded by 00:1B:   Eg  00:1B:C2:AF:14:24  

Issue Lookup table for the AIC Analogue Input Configuration for different sensors. What types of sensors can be used with the MPM controller? Product Line EcoStruxure Building Expert Environment Multi Purpose Manager AIC Cause A lookup table is required for a sensor that is not listed in the AICs. What sensors can be used? Resolution For the Satchwell range (new generation or T range) STP660, STC600, STR600 series. Note the engineering output is Celsius.   For the TAC range STP100 series, STC100, STR100 series, STD100 series. Note the engineering units is Celsius.   For the Andover range STP500 series, STC500, STR500 series, STD500 series. Note the engineering units is Celsius.   AIC 1 to AIC 10 are empty Analogue Input Configurations, the remainder are pre-configured as below. For 10K Type II in Celsius use AIC 11 For 10K Type II in Fahrenheit use AIC 12 For 10K Type III in Celsius use AIC 13 For 10K Type III in Fahrenheit use AIC 14 For 1K PT1000 RTD Platinum in Celsius use AIC 15 For 1K PT1000 RTD Platinum in Fahrenheit use AIC 16 For 1K PT100 RTD Platinum in Celsius use AIC 17 For 1K PT100 RTD Platinum in Fahrenheit use AIC 18 For 1K NI1000 RTD Nickel in Celsius use AIC 19 For 1K NI1000 RTD Nickel in Fahrenheit use AIC 20

Issue Does Schneider Electric support the Niagara Andover Infinity Driver? Environment Niagara Infinity Driver Infinet Drivers Cause Unable to get Andover Infinity Driver working. Resolution The Andover Infinity Driver was created by and for Tridium.  Schneider Electric do not sell nor support this driver and all enquiries should be referred to Tridium.

Issue How are the bits allocated in a 26bit Wiegand card format? Environment Access control peripherals data format Cause Although this is an openly published data format, sometimes the actual data bit format is required. Resolution The Wiegand 26 bit format consists of 24 bits of data and 2 Parity bits (Odd and Even) The 24 data bits are split between 8 bits for the Site code and 16 bits for the card number. Giving a card number range of 1 to 65535, and a site code range of 1 to 255. A spreadsheet defining the format can be downloaded here.

Issue Error launching EpiBuilder or EpiDesigner outside of Continuum Product Line Andover Continuum Environment EpiBuilder Continuum Cyberstation Windows XP Windows 7 Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2008 Cause Running EpiBuilder or EpiDesigner prior to running it through Continuum will generate this error. Resolution Create a personnel object in Continuum, open that object in Personnel manager and select, Create/Edit badge. This will open EpiDesigner for the first time in Continuum. After that, you can open EpiDesigner independently from Continuum.

Issue When installing SQL server 2008 or SQL 2008 R2 to manually an instance for I/NET, Vista or Continuum, sometimes an error "Invoke or BeginInvoke cannot be called on a control until the window handle has been created" will show up. Environment SQL 2008 / SQL 2008 R2 Vista I/NET Continuum SmartStruxure Cause This issue is happening because of a behavior change in .NET that is exposing an issue with SQL Setup User Interface (UI). Resolution Generally, if you just rerun the installer, it won't hit the issue again. If this can't help, just manually create a C:\temp folder and it will work fine.

Issue What is the procedure for upgrading firmware in an I/A Controller? Product Line TAC IA Series Environment Workplace Commissioning Tool I/A Series MNB Cause Improvements to MNB firmware require upgrades to be made periodically to the controllers. Resolution This video demonstrates how to upgrade MNB devices with the I/A Commissioning Tool.

Issue Error "Invalid Server Type" when attempting to log into the Project Configuration Server (PCS) Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment StruxureWare Building Operation 1.5 and newer Cause Attempting to log into the Enterprise Server IP and Port address with Workstation for Projects Resolution Ensure that the Project Configuration Server is installed. Open Software Administrator and check that the Project Configuration Server tab is shown. If not then the server has not been installed. Install this first When using Workstation for Projects, make sure you use the correct port setting (HTTP or HTTPS) as defined in the Software Administrator

Issue When attempting to detach an AS, PCT continues to shown the server as being attached to the ES.   Product Line EcoStruxure Building Operation Environment Building Operation Project Configuration Tool 1.x (PCT) Cause In PCT, when an AS is detached from its parent ES, the ES name still appears in the Added to parent column of the Servers list. Resolution Once the AS has been detached from an ES it can be added to another ES though Workstation using the following steps even though the "Added to parents" column shows otherwise.   To create a SmartX server In WorkStation, in the System Tree panel, select the Servers folder. On the File menu, point to New and then click Server . In the Create Object wizard, in the Name box, type a name for the SmartX server. In the Description box, type descriptive information about the SmartX server. Click Next . In the Configure IP/DNS Address and Port page, in the Address box, type the IP address or fully qualified domain name of the SmartX server. Notice If the SmartX server has been assigned a dynamic IP address, use the fully qualified domain name of the SmartX server instead of the IP address. In the Protocol box, select a protocol for the SmartX server. For more information, see EcoStruxure BMS Server Communication . In the Port box, enter a port number. Click Create. In the Log on dialog box, in the Password box, type the custom password if required. Click OK.   For more information, see Creating a SmartX Server

Issue What happens when a device that SmartStruxure has COV subscriptions with goes OFFLINE for a while and then comes back ONLINE? Environment ES AS BACnet devices Cause Documentation Resolution QUESTION: What is the limit on number of COV subscription AS/ES support. ANSWER: There is no hard limits in the AS/ES for number of COV subscription, the server is limited only by resources. QUESTION: How often does the Automation Server subscribe (sends the subscription requests) for the very first time to the other devices? ANSWER: When the subscriptions are first established they are sent immediately to the devices, for example when you save a PE script program any COV created as a result of compiling the program are sent immediately to the device. QUESTION: In the case that the other device (the gateway) restarts or goes OFFLINE, how does the Automation Server handle the sending of the re-subscription requests? ANSWER: If a renewal fails due to device offline, it will be retried every minute indefinitely until it succeeds or the subscription is canceled. So if the device goes offline for a while some of the re-subscriptions will fail and will be re-tried once a minute, when the device is back, within a minute all the failed re-subscriptions will be sent again. QUESTION: Can the COVSubscriptionLifetime and the COVTimerPeriod  be set in the AS? or is it only in the ES ANSWER: They can be set in both the ES and the AS by editing the server.properties file in versions of SBO prior to 1.8.1 In SBO 1.8.1 and above, the settings can be accessed from the BACnet interface manager. QUESTION: Where is the server.properties file located in the server file system? ANSWER: AS: /opt/tac/etc (1.4.1 and below) AS: /opt/sbo/etc (1.5.0 and above) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) /opt/tac/db (1.4)   /var/sbo/db (1.5) ES:  "C:\Program Files\Schneider Electric StruxureWare\Building Operation 1.x\Enterprise Server\etc\  

Issue What is the mechanism used by the Continuum system to determine the communication status of third party BACnet devices? Product Line Andover Continuum Environment CyberStation bCX BACnet Cause To maintain the communication status of third party BACnet devices Resolution Continuum sends a read property message to read the vendor id from the device once a minute by default (or whatever the probe time is set to), as long as a timely response is received from the device Continuum keeps it online, if no response is received the device will be marked OFFLINE (after a retry) Once a device is marked OFFLINE Continuum will perform a WHO-IS once a minute (ARP if CyberStation) until an I-AM is received which will cause the device to be tagged back online, once the device is back online Continuum will resume probing the device via the read property message once a minute. Note that Continuum allows several probe options for BACnet devices, the behavior explained above is for when the probe type is set to 'Probe' ProbeOnDemand - Probing does not occur unless a communications transaction with the target device fails. Once a transaction fails then probing occurs at the interval specified in Probe Time until the device comes back online. The advantage is that additional requests to the controller fail immediately. The disadvantage if that node failure is not detected  until a CyberStation application needs to communicate with a controller.  ProbeOff - Probing does not occur. The advantage is that there is never probe traffic to the device. The disadvantage is that each request to the device fails only after the transaction times out.