Honeywell plant scape release 300 redundant servers are hanging after every 15 days in our process plant. Plant scape servers are running on Dell pentium 3 with 4 G.B hard disk ( OS windows NT 4.0). The machine is 10 years old and some time hard disk is not working properly. We are loosing the communication of stations from primary server and not transferring to secondary server. Control builder is not opening also on Server A. The ERDB of Server A is not synchronising with Server B. We are planning to Change server machines with higher configuration.

We dont have software plant scape release 300.0 but we have arranged release 300.1 with same license as earlier installed. The plant scape release 300.1 server can work with same protection key and earlier release 300 stations(5 stations).

Please any one guide us which datbase files, configuration files and ERDB should copy on new servers.

Can we install plantscape release 300.1 on pentium 4 machine?

 

Are you try to export your project (CM/SCM etc...) with the controlbuilder export tool?

CB: File >> Export

In the export window, please select your CMs and SCMs what you want to export.

Best regard,
Sylvain

 

Dear Mr. Sylvain

Thanks for reply. The existing plantscape server machine some time malfunctioning. I want to replace both servers A& B machines with high configuration(same IP address). I want to make both servers offline as earlier. I will install honeywell plantscape release 300.1 server software. After server installation which folders and files shall be copied in new server to make same as earlier.

Thanks with best regards

Syed

 

300 was a very unstable release, 320 fixed most of these issues. however from your discription, I would suggest the fault is not the plantscape system but RSLINX. there is a known issue with that release which courses comms to the controllers to hang after 14.5 days. in many cases this caused the Plantscape server to crash also.

THe patch for this is available from your local honeywell or AB support center.

With regard upgrading the machines, I think you may be considering false economies. a system up grade to Experion light may be a far safer option. This can be done in one step though the honeywell sales man will try and sell you licencse upgrades for every release only the 3xx to 400 upgrade step is needed. Once the ERDB is in the xml format a move straight to the lkatest version of experion can be carried out.

If you wish to carry on with your rebuild you need to copy the following files

Quickbuilder project
R300 directory - contains the toolbar setting and station configs
shheap - see your documentation for how to run this

your erdb files - both A and B

your abstract directory

also I like to back up the server files - especially if there are any third party plc's talking to the servers

Dave

 

I suggest you address where the error comes first before deciding to re-install the servers. Is it from your servers or controller? It just to make sure you solve the problem correctly.

If you are sure there is no problem with your controller (controlnet cable+terminator,connector, cni, c200, rm, etc) you can continue the installation. I mean it's included H/W and firmware.

To install new servers, please use this checklist:
- copy the host file from your NT; c:\windows\system32\etc\drivers\hosts
- backup your erdb file
- export your erdb file to xml files
- backup quick builder files (ps network config) (*.qbd)
- backup your schematic files (*.dsp)
- backup your station configuration, I forget where it lied, but you can find in knowledge builder
- I suggest you have full backup of your existing servers.

I am not sure you can install NT 4.0 in pentium 4 machine, you should consult with your PC supplier first. NT 4.0 has been obsolete already. Besides that, you should check your plantscape communication card (KTC-X or PCIC). Is it compatible with pentium 4 or not?

Regards,
Sulaiman

 

Dear Mr. Dave/Sulaiman

Thanks for yours reply. It is correct controlnet interface controller card KTX is hanging after 15 days. It is giving trouble to server also then after power reset required. It is running RSlinx 2.0 version.But some time server machine also problem due to very old and hard disk is stucking. We are planning also to upgrade with experion. We are running with C200 controller and they are working very fine. Is it required also to upgrade the controller with C300 for better performance.

I have arranged two sever machine pentium 4, 3.20 GHz with two hard disks(NIXSYS). I arranged palntscape 300.1 software with same license as earlier witout protection key. Our old servers protection key (dongle) can work with new sever. I arranged also RSLINX controlnet interface card TC-PCIC01 for PCI slot. I installed window NT 4.0 with service pack 5 and office 2000 which is running O.K on pentium 4. I installed plantscape release 300.1 with RS linx2.0 off line with station and engineering tools. It is installed sucessfully. I copied ERDB, Abstract, quick builder and release 300 folder files from old server.

After installation, restarted the computer, plant scape server started automatically but showing one message start service error(Unable to start NDIS kernel mode MAC driver. See the application. Event log for specific error.)

When I pressed O.K. It is showing in message box i.e (an error occured attemting to add a new device. See application and system event logs for specific error). What is the reason showing this message? The station is connected with server as offline with same toolbar. The system page, alarm page and menu pages are opening but plant graphic pages are not opening offine. The server is stopping after 10 minutes due to protection key missing.

When I tried to open control builder offline with same user and password as configured. It is not opening and message is coming i.e Failed to determine PS server location [PS-E-SCANLOCATION (6L.101.10522)]. After pressing O.K another message "can not connect to ERDB. View error log for details [PS-E-CBCONNECT LOGON (1L.101.12019)]. DB admin is also not opening and asking data source name and DB creation. How can we create DB?

I have also following questions?

1.Is it necessary to copy host file from existing server windows c:\windows\system32\etc\drivers\hosts

2.How can we export erdb file to xml files.Export/import tools also not opening and same message is coming as in control builder.

3.One new server A with plantscape release 300.1 can synchronize with old server B with plantscape release 300.1 online.

with best regard

Syed

 

Hi Syed,

I think you did not install the PCIC driver. Before you install it, make sure you select the right driver.

Copy the host file to the new server is mandatory. It tells all tools (control builder, quick builder, etc) where the plantscape server is.

To access import export tools, you can go to DB admin, but I am not sure it will work since your control builder has problem. I think you can do another way, you just copy your ERDB file to the new server. There will be some error messages, but you can trouble shoot later. Before you do it, copy your original ERDB file and others in the same folder first (from your new server). In case it faills you still can go back.

I am not sure you can synchronize your new server with your B server (old server). The servers have different configuration. One is using PCIC card and the other is still using KTC card.

I still have another concern that you did not install the A server. If you have installed A server, you should not have control builder in the new server. Please make sure you follow the instruction for A server installation step by step and correctly from knowledge builder.

Regards,
Sulaiman

 

Thanks for yours reply.I installed server A with station as per Knowledge builder and copy also host file from old server.The station is connecting for 10 minutes from Server.The server is stopping after 10 minutes due to missing protection key.

You are saying correct, controlnet card TC-PCIC01 driver is missing.RSlinx 2.0 is not supporting to PCIC card.How can I get the driver of TC-PCIC01 for windows NT 4.0 SP5.I think when we will have installed correct driver.The CB and DB admin will open.What is difference between Plantscape release 300 and 300.1 .Can we install both servers offline( without controller) and open control builder to check the logic in project view.

There is one more problem in our existing ServerA,we are unable to open CB,DBadmin and Export/import tools online.MS access softwatre is missing there.ERDB is also not synchronizing with server B. I can open only CB,DBADMIN & export/import tools from server B.How can I synchronize ERDB from server B.Server A is running always as backup and datbase synchronizing with B and showing no alarm.
Pls Advice also how can i fix old server A for time being.

Thanks for yours useful tips. Can I have yours email

Regards,
Syed

 

Hi Syed,

The driver for PCIC should be in the plantscape software installer (or you can ask to Honeywell or Allan Bradley). I believe before you purchased PCIC card, you had confirmed with Honeywell that the card is compatible with R.300.XX. I can confirm that PCIC card is compatible with R.320.XX, but not sure for R.300.XX.

DB admin or control builder is not available in server A, it's only in Server B. That's the PlantScape (and Experion) Architecture. Although you can successfully install the PCIC driver, you can not use the tools. The driver just enables communication with RSLink.

The difference between 300.0 and 300.1 is about the patch. 300.X means Plantscape 300 with patch revision X.

You can install both server offline without controller and you can open control builder from Server B to see CM, SCM, etc.

Of course you can't open DBadmin, control builder and export import tool from Server A. It is normal, nothing wrong with that. As I mentioned earlier, The tools is only available in Server B, that's the architecture. Don't worry your Server is okay.

Server A and Server B in PlantScape (or Experion) are redundant server for process or real time data base only, but not for engineering / ERDB server. Process server lied in both Servers, but ERDB server only lied in Server B. It causes when Server B down, we will not be able to do any engineering work, but the operation will not be interupted.

I forget how to synchronize ERDB, but I think it should be a button in control builder to do so. Actually it should be automatic, please check PlantScape Replicate in windows service. I am affraid the service is not running.

I think your Server A runs as backup server because you shutdown Server A. After that you turned on again the server. Or maybe some one did fail over from Server A to Server B. To put Server A as primary server, you just go to System Configuration, select server redundancy and do manual fail over. Or you just shutdown Server B then you turn on it again. The Server A will be a primary server again.

I see there is no problem with your process server,there is no alarm in your station. The problem should be in ERDB file, ERDB in Server B is not synchronized with ERDB in Server A. You can try this:
1.Verify all PlantScape service running (refers to Knowledge Builder) in Both Servers. Some services may not be available in Server A.

2. Run manual synchronization from control builder or DBadmin.

3. Also check in DBAdmin, whether some CM or SCM locked, just clear the locked logics if you find some. Then do manual synchronization again.

4. You can try to duplicate ERDB file from Server B to Server A, if manual synchronizarion not working. Make sure to backup ERDB files from both servers first.

5. I suggest you ask Honeywell engineer to check your server. Ask him or her to see the error log file. Some time, it is not easy to synchronize ERDB file in Server A and Server B.

My advice may not be so accurate, you still need to check with Knowledge Builder. Last time I touched PlantScape 300.xx in year 2003, I may have forgotten some portions.

You can touch me at [email protected]

Regards,

Sulaiman

 

Another Plantscape R3.20 user here.

We are seeing similar issues. Loss of comm. every 14 days I think to the TC-PCIC01 card we are using

Running versions :

Plantscape ver. R3.20
Rs Linx Lite Rev 2.1.176.0

PCIC Upgrade software Rev2 (that came with the PCIC card)

Has anyone seen similar problems?
Is there a proven fix for this?

 

hello my friends i got the same problem you have. i don't know if you have already solved it, so if you, please it would be very helpful for me to know the solution, because it is driving me crazy. the trouble i have is when i want to get into the control builder, it shows me this message:
"Failed to determine PS server location [PS-E-SCANLOCATION (6L.101.10522)]."

i also have a problem with the station software, another message appears saying that it is impossible to connect to the server.

well i have to say that i have installed plant scape on my pc, but just as a client, not as server, maybe the problems i have is because of my installation. Could you help me please?? it is for ur.

 

Have not resolved my problem the system hang up every 14 days, seems like the my PCIC card gets disconnected for a minute or so. LEDS go from green to off then restores.(On my B server only , I am running redundant servers) I have tried tried replacing the PCIC card. That did not help. Also tried upgrading the PCIC software ... now running ver. 3.5.33 firmware for the PCIC. That did not help either. Not sure if this is a Honeywell or A-B problem.

For your problem, only one session of station can be opened at a time. maybe you have another station session opened ?

Keep in touch we may be able to work this out.

 

As far as your problem with ;
Failed to determine PS server location
>[PS-E-SCANLOCATION (6L.101.10522)]."


Seems like there is a naming mismatch. Make sure you are trying to connect to the correct server you have named.

You may have to fix the DCOM on the server.
Start.>> RUN
Enter .... Dcomcnfg

If you need help navigating thru this let me know .

 

I believe it caused by PCIC or NIC card. Please check your CRG or contact Honeywell for the right firmware. You should get the firmware from Honeywell for free, because this the problem that it did not solve during construction.

If you have had the firmware in your hand, you can download it to PCIC or NIC card using NTOOLS program available in Plantscape server.

 

I notice there are 5 possibilities why you cannot connect to the server:

1. You choose the wrong server name in control builder.

2. You did not mention the server address in the host file. Please check the host file, maybe someone has modified it.

3. Some PlantScape services are not running, like CDA server, etc. Please check in Windows service and compare with Knowledge Builder.

4. H/W problem; ethernet or LAN cable is broken.

5. Plantscape server name was changed.

Can any body add please?

 

You mention something about a patch ... do you or any reader out there have any information about this? My system hangs every 14 days... thanks