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Problem Statement: Is TSK_MKOB still needed in current versions of InfoPlus.21? | Solution: No, the TSK_MKOB is an obsolete task that has not been used since version 2.5.1 of InfoPlus.21. Therefore, if this task is still listed in the Defined Tasks list in the InfoPlus.21 Manager, it should be set to Skip during startup.
To do this, double-click on TSK_MKOB in the list of Defined Tasks, check the S... |
Problem Statement: In the very early versions of Aspen InfoPlus.21, there was a requirement that the Windows directories holding the Historian Repositories and Filesets should be set as shared folders.
Now that this is no longer a restriction, are there any recommendations? | Solution: Testing in preparation for the release of v2006 has shown that it is better to NOT make these directories as Windows Shared.
This was discovered during performance testing. It was attributed to a small Microsoft overhead, causing a slight slowdown during access of shared folders.
The only disadvantage of not ... |
Problem Statement: Generally, the RSLinx tagname specification is a string containing 8 parameters separated by commas. The tag is passed directly to RSLinx for processing, so the format of the tag is the same as in the RSLinx DTL_C_DEFINE function. It is not uncommon for users to encounter difficulty in determining th... | Solution: provides such an example.Solution
The RSLinx string has the following format (described in detail in the CIM-IO for RSLinx Interface User's Manual):
Data Address, Elements, Data type, Access, Port ID, Station, Proc Type, DriverID
The following tagname syntax should work for Power Monitor based on SLC503+ com... |
Problem Statement: With Aspen Cim-IO for RSLinx it is possible to configure aliases for the records, but sometimes an end user wishes to know what these aliases really mean. | Solution: In order to get the alias information you must run a utility called CIMIO_RSlinx.exe which is located in :
C:\Program Files\AspenTech\CIM-IO\io\cio_abd_rsl
You will see a GUI called alias definition, as shown in the figure bellow, where you can find the alias information.
Keywords: alias
Record alias
RSli... |
Problem Statement: When writing a value of a text tag to a PLC using CIM-IO for RSLinx and a PUT record and the length of the string changes, this change is not recognized.A For instance if you start out by sending ABCDJFK, the PLC gets the length of 7 characters but if in the next pass you send OPRS you still see on t... | Solution: This problem can be resolved by cycling the PUT record OFF/ON.
Keywords: IoPutDef Record
String
Character
PUT
References: None |
Problem Statement: Even though most InfoPlus.21 servers are located in secure locations, some users may still have access to the server. In such situations, it will be wise to secure your InfoPlus.21 server from users making unauthorized changes which are detrimental to the proper functioning of InfoPlus.21 (accidental... | Solution: To access local policy settings for:
Win NT servers - go to Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | User Manager | Policies.
Win 2000 servers - go to Start | Programs | Administrative Tools | Local Security Policy, or Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Local Security Policy.
Under Local Policies | User ... |
Problem Statement: What is the purpose of the IP_STEPPED field in records defined by IP_AnalogDef and IP_DiscreteDef ? | Solution: The purpose of the IP_STEPPED field is to specify the type of data compression used to record incoming values.
The standard form of data compression has always been the Boxcar with Backslope algorithm. This algorithm is ideal for analog type data. (SeeSolution 103491 for an understanding of how this algorithm... |
Problem Statement: Aspentech provides a local API to allow customers to write their own C/C++ or even Fortran programs incorporating standard Aspentech function calls used by all of our own software. We have had several inquiries on connecting to multiple databases when running this home written program. This document ... | Solution: ' section below.
Keywords: multiple servers
inisetc
endsetc
setcimrpc.cfg
References: None |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article provides a template to troubleshoot the following error which can be returned from the Aspen InfoPlus.21 API function call, RHIS21DATA()
ERRCODE = -33
Fields are not in same repeat area | Solution: RHIS21DATA() is a function which retrieves historical data from an Aspen InfoPlus.21 record's repeat area. The aforementioned error can be returned if:
? The history repeat area field referenced within the custom program is not referenced properly (not spelled correctly, etc.)
A fixed area field is ... |
Problem Statement: Can I connect a version 3.x (or higher) Aspen Calc client to an IP.21 / Aspen Calc server version 2.5.1 database? | Solution: If Aspen Calc client and InfoPlus.21 and the Aspen Calc server are on different machines, this will work. Follow the Aspen Calc installation manual''s directions on the DCOM configuration. Be sure to make the DCOM changes to BOTH the server and the IP.21 machine. This will allow you to create the calculations... |
Problem Statement: Error message Please enter a valid UNC pathname \nodename\folder\folder. This error message is seen on a client PC when using the Administrator to view the repository properties when the path contains a drive letter instead of a UNC pathname. If this drive is not mapped on the client PC, and the user... | Solution: To avoid this error message, click on Cancel when on a client PC.
Keywords: administrator
property
repositories
References: None |
Problem Statement: Is it normal to have File Sets that are over 100% full? | Solution: This is a valid scenario where fs_percentage_used is greater than 100%. This can be caused when there is a file set shift at 95% full, followed by a manual/programmatic insertion of older data which falls into the fileset's time boundaries.
There is no harm from having a fileset which is greater than 100% ful... |
Problem Statement: When applying security on the IP.21 database using the IP.21 Administrator, the following message is received:
Unknown Error from IP.21 database component
or
Unknown Error = -200 | Solution: This is caused by a DCOM configuration issue.
To resolve, run dcomcnfg from Start | Run. On the Applications tab locate the Aspen.IP21.Security entry and double click. On the General tab, set the Authentication Level to Connect. Click OK, and then OK again.
Keywords: unknown error
-200
References: None |
Problem Statement: The No History in the Database message appears when attempting to view Control or Master recipe Edit History. | Solution: The message No History in the Database indicates that no edit history data was saved during the times specified in the History dialog. Edit history data is generated anytime a Control or Master recipe is edited so the likely cause of this message is that no edits occurred during the time range.
Edit history... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to make a strategy into a .pdf file? | Solution: Though this is not officially supported, it is possible IF you have Adobe PDF write installed on the client machine. When this is done you have extra 'printers', a PDF write and PDF distiller. When you print something you can also choose to write it to a PDF file.
Keywords: pdf
References: None |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article describes how to remove the text Group 200 on from the name of the database that appears in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator. | Solution: The name of the database when viewed from the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator is taken directly from the name of the ADSA data source for the server to which you are connected. For the case where the name of the database is shown as Group 200 on XXXX (where XXXX is the name of the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server) th... |
Problem Statement: The IP.21 Administrator tool running against an older version of an IP.21 database does not show CIM-IO details.
For example:
When you use the v6.0.1 IP.21 Administrator tool to look at your v4.x or v5.x IP.21 database, it's not possible to expand the Logical Devices beneath the CIM-IO area of the Ad... | Solution: Here are the steps to resolve this problem.
Obtain a CIMIO.RLD file from an IP.21 v6.0 system.
Save a database snapshot on the IP.21 v5.0 system (just in case).
Delete the record CIMIOExtensionRecords from the IP.21 v5.0 system.
Then delete the record CIMIOExtRecDef from the IP.21 v5.0 system.
Recload the v6.... |
Problem Statement: What process is modeled in the InfoPlus.21 demo database simulation? | Solution: Liquid Raw materials are collected in three Raw Materials tanks, units ATC 101, 102, and 103.
Outlet valves from the three Raw Materials tanks allow liquid to flow into a Mixer unit (M201). This marks the beginning of a batch as far as Aspen Batch.21 is concerned.
The three raw materials are agitated in t... |
Problem Statement: Unable to connect to the PI server. The cimio_t_api returns the error:
Status is 'Bad Tag'
Facility=39
Driver Status=39203
From the CIMIO for PI Interface user's Manual:
CIMIO_PI_PS_INV_POINT
Error # 39203
Error Message: Invalid Point Number
User Action: The specified point does not exist in PI or t... | Solution: Aside from the obviousSolutions (i.e. the specified point does not exist in PI or the DIOP does not have Point read permission for the point), another possible cause is that in a domain with multiple PI servers, the PI home node is not set up as the DEFAULT server in the PILOGIN.INI file.
Configure the PI hom... |
Problem Statement: When starting IP.21, an error occurs for TSK_H21_INIT: ERROR: Cannot create shared memory block. | Solution: This has been seen by serveral customers who have uninstalled a previous version of IP.21 and then install a later version. It each case, the customer used the uninstall procedure, but the problem is likely caused by not having everything removed completely. Therefore, theSolution is to uninstall the old vers... |
Problem Statement: Can I pull IP.21 process data into a Microsoft Access database? | Solution: In order to pull data through the ODBC link from IP.21 into MS Access, all you need to do is make sure you have installed SQLPlus on the client. This installs and configures the ODBC driver needed by MS Access. It is necessary to install SQLPlus because Desktop ODBC is no longer available as a separately lice... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides some general troubleshooting tips for the Aspen InfoPlus.21 history subsystem. | Solution: If you suspect a history problem, first check the list of running processes using the Windows Task Manager on the server running the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database. There should be one h21archive.exe process for each repository that exists. If you have three repositories, you should have three copies of the h21ar... |
Problem Statement: How to specify a repeat area field when running changeauditattribute.exe? | Solution: add a 1 in front of the field name to specify the first repeat area. Example: 1 io_data_status
Keywords: changeauditattribute
repeat
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can you insert values with a specific timestamp in history, using VB?
Specifically, using ip_input_value writes data to the specified tag, but the timestamp supplied is ignored - no matter what time is put there, the value is assigned the current time as the timestamp. | Solution: Below is some sample code - be sure to include a reference to Aspen Process Data and Aspen Time Components. If the latter is not in the available references list, you can add it via the browse button (typically in C:\Program Files\Common Files\AspenTech Shared\Apex\AtTime.dll).
Dim AtPdDs As New AtProcessData... |
Problem Statement: How do I resolve the IOGetDef / IOLongTagGetDef issue when trying to create new tags in AspenWatch Maker?
Tag already exists-- | Solution: The issue is the architecture we have in place for IO Get records to prevent mismatch between IOGetDef and IOLongTagGetDef records being accessed by the same IO-Group tag (IODEV1, IODEV2, etc.). We did not begin enforcing this rule until recently.
If you've been using the IOLongTagGetDef records before this r... |
Problem Statement: A new custom definition record has been created to allow change-of-state (COS) activation via a COS field pointer. The creator intends to limit the range of trigger values which will activate the record by making the WAIT_FOR_COS_FIELD dependent on COS_RECOGNITION, basically using the functionality o... | Solution: InfoPlus.21 does not recognize the COS_RECOGNITION field as anything other than a field with eight allowable values (and that, only because it was configured with the COS-OPTIONS selector record). InfoPlus.21 only knows activate or don't activate, as determined by the COS field pointer, scheduled, or manual a... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to access tag attributes using Visual Basic? | Solution: The following code allows for an SQLplus call to be made to the database via Visual Basic. In this case, names for all tags beginning with atcl are selected. Similar calls can be made to return other tag attributes from the database. In the example the name of the InfoPlus.21 server is wesleyr1.
To run the co... |
Problem Statement: Data in InfoPlus.21 can sometimes appear to be a flatline or show a stair step pattern. A view of the data table, will show the same value showing up with new timestamps at the same frequency as the get record is processed.
The cause of the pattern is that CIMIO doesn't recognize a control file shutd... | Solution: This is actually a problem with the configuration of the RNI. Increase the settings for block_scale_cache_size and point_scale_cache_size in the RNI's SB.CFG. Consult your RNI documentation or contact Fisher-Rosemount for further information.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: History values are not propagating into history for records defined by IP_TextDef. | Solution: Here are a couple of possibleSolutions for this behavior.
1. IP_Archiving is set to OFF
2. The History repository is not running.
3. The records are configured for history compression yet the values are not changing by more than the DC_Significance value.
4. The IP_TextCompress record ... |
Problem Statement: After application of Microsoft hotfix KB828035 to an NT4 system, the Aspen InfoPlus.21 tasks may not start and clients secured through Aspen FrameWork / Aspen Local Security may receive authentication errors when connecting to a secured Aspen InfoPlus.21 server. | Solution: This is due to a defect in Microsoft hotfix KB828035. This hotfix can cause group/role authentication not to work in environments which use an NT4 domain controller with a large number of NT4 clients. Microsoft has published a fix for this defect. Information regarding this fix can be found at:
http://support... |
Problem Statement: How to create an .RLD file for custom definition records that also saves additional records required by the custom record. | Solution: The InfoPlus.21 Manager Utilities application saves the selected records to the specified .RLD file. If a target database is specified, the application also saves records required by the custom record if the records are not already in the reference snapshot.
Open the IP21 Manager and go to Actions, Utilities,... |
Problem Statement: When entering a value into IP_INPUT_VALUE, duplicate records appear in trend history with the same value and time as the original entry. That is, rather than one occurence in trend history, you receive two or three. | Solution: Either turn off compression or change IP_STEPPED from Stepped to Interpolated. SeeSolution 106625 for a description of this field usage. For analog values, having IP_STEPPED set to INTERPOLATED (Boxcar with Backslope algorithm) is ideal. Having IP_STEPPED set to STEPPED (Boxcar algorithm) is typically used fo... |
Problem Statement: At almost the last part of an installation process of Aspen InfoPlus.21, there is an optional step called Upgrade. The Upgrade step allows you to take a snapshot from a previous version of the software, and upgrade it, so that it will work with the new version. There are two terms that upgrade uses:-... | Solution: As you probably know, the (target) database that comes with the new version contains all of our standard records. For example it contains all the standard definition records such as Ip_AnalogDef and Ip_DiscreteDef etc. It contains all the standard Format records like F7.3, I5 etc It contains all the standard ... |
Problem Statement: Getting an error Invalid item in Error_Type field within AspenCalcDef Record when executing the calculation by COS | Solution: This error happens when the calculation within Aspen Calc is created under a folder and if the folder name is not appended to the calculation_Name within the AspenCalcDef Record. In order to resolve this error and for the calculation to execute properly on COS the Calculation_name field should be set to <fold... |
Problem Statement: What are the different ADSA configurations that can be used to view multiple ADSA Data Sources? | Solution: User Data Source Configuration (ADSA Client/Workstation based configuration)
To allow a single user (only) access to view multiple Aspen InfoPlus.21 Servers, the user can configure a private or User Data Source in the ADSA Properties on their local workstation.
Public Data Source Configuration (ADSA Server ... |
Problem Statement: What is the difference between XOLDESTOK and CLROLDEST? | Solution: XOLDESTOK is for resetting the creatation date for an individual tag or group of tags. This allows for entering data that is older than the creation date. With XOLDESTOK, you specify the new date and the repeat area. Please seeSolution #103040 for more information on how to use XOLDESTOK.
CLROLDEST is for res... |
Problem Statement: A user databank can be created in Aspen Plate Fin Exchanger that contains along with geometry information, the Reynolds Number, f and C factors to determine the pressure drop and heat transfer for a particular fin.
Each fin is identified by a number that the user chooses that is in the range of 101 t... | Solution: The user databank is called FinData.txt and is stored in the directory, typically ?C:\Program Files\AspenTech\Aspen Exchanger Design and Rating V7.1\XEQ ? where the file platefin.dll is located
The first three lines of the databank identify the fin and its geometry, where after the remaining data gives the Re... |
Problem Statement: Creating an Aspen Calc formula generates the error: Formula <formula name> found in multiple libraries at line X.
A user cannot copy or type a pre-defined formula name in calcscript directly. Doing this generates an error Formula <formulaname> found in multiple libraries because the formula already e... | Solution: TheSolution is to click Insert Formula in the Formula Wizard, select the Built-in Library, choose the appropriate formula, highlight it, and click the Insert button.
Keywords: libraries
multiple
formula
References: None |
Problem Statement: In Aspen PlateFin, when in Simulation or Checking mode, there are two ways to enter the flow direction in the layer;
· Input | Problem Definition | Process Data | Process Options tab, the “Flow direction” may be entered as End A to B (down) or End B to A (up). In general the default is for ho... | Solution: If these inputs are inconsistent above, then the input error will be given. Users should check that the flow descriptions specified above are consistent.
Keywords: Input error 1212
References: None |
Problem Statement: Aspen Calc application will not open successfully, and instead freezes. | Solution: Aspentech Calculator Engine should appear in the list of applications in dcomcnfg. If it isn''t there, you can register it again using the following commands:
cd %ASPEN_CALC_BASE%\bin
CalcScheduler/Remove
CalcScheduler/Install username password
Where username and passwords are the user name and password of th... |
Problem Statement: Can Aspen Calc be used across a firewall? | Solution: Aspen Calc uses DCOM to communicate. As a result, Aspen Calc is difficult to configure for use across a firewall since DCOM is designed to dynamically assign a TCP port and UDP port at run-time. Consequently, you can''t predict the port that will be used and specify it beforehand on the firewall.
Microsoft do... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article explains how to use Aspen Calc to retrieve the last two values of a tag historized in Aspen InfoPlus.21 using Aspen Calc. | Solution: The example code below was provided by Wayne Bylsma of TRANSALTA CORPORATION-CALGARY, CANADA.
' Begin Example Calculation
dim conn,rs, stat
set conn = createobject(ADODB.Connection)
conn.open SERVER
stat = SELECT ip_trend_value from ta_analogdef where name = ' & tag&';
set rs = conn.execute(stat)
i = 0
do w... |
Problem Statement: Error when trying to add roles to the IP.21 Administrator to assign permissions:
Function GetLocalRolesList failed with empty roles list | Solution: Verify that the AFW Security Client service is running in the Control Panel | Services. Most likely it is. But, chances are, the AFW Service process does not have sufficient privileges to instantiate the Authorization object - causing security type functions to fail.
Run DCOMCNFG and verify that:
1. DCO... |
Problem Statement: During installation of Service Pack 1 for Aspen Manufacturing Suite 6.0, the installer may give disk space errors. | Solution: Search for directories having the name PFT*.TMP, where * is a wild card. If many of these directories are found in the default %TEMP% directory (<User Profile>\Local Settings\Temp), the temporary directories should be deleted.
If the location specified by the default %TEMP% environment variable does not conta... |
Problem Statement: When using SQLplus to insert data into the InfoPlus.21 database with a bad status, the data gets historized as bad data (instead of good data with a bad status). This results in Aspen Process Explorer not being able to display the data because it is INVALID. | Solution: For every data point in history, you want to have qstatus set to 'Bad' (the status of the data) and qlevel set to 'Good' (the quality of the data). This can be accomplished by temporarily modifying the Quality-Statuses selector record when entering the data:
IN MORE DETAIL:
Quality Statuses and Quality Levels... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article provides an example program which illustrates how to use the RHIS21DATA routine to read repeat area data from IP_TextDef records. | Solution: The RHIS21DATA function can extract data from the repeat area of IP_TextDef records in the same way as it does from IP_AnalogDef records - the difference being the datatype used in the program. The following code is written to extract text values from the LOGS_IN_MEMORY repeat area of the IoLog record (define... |
Problem Statement: How are point counts related to the word count for the IP.21 database? | Solution: A point is considered a record with history. The size of those points can be measured in words.
One would use the point count to determine how many tags they could create and record data for.
The word count is used in the InfoPlus.21 Manager task TSK_DBCLOCK. Set the command line parameter to DOUBLE the size ... |
Problem Statement: Standard IP_Analog and IP_Discrete tags don't allow for clamping of upper and/or lower values (e.g. forcing all input values to be stored in history and greater than or equal to zero). | Solution: Use IP_SetDef to configure a clamped limit for the target definition. Note that the filter applies to every tag defined by the base definition being altered.
View IP_SetLimits (defined by ValidRealDef)
Create a new record [test_set]defined by IP_SetDef:
Use an SQLscript to input values to test_set f... |
Problem Statement: Repository won't start and the following message appears in the affected repository's error.log file:
sequence update failure in active archive | Solution: The active archive is corrupt in this repository.
To address this issue perform the following steps.
1. Verify that the repository is not running.
2. Open a command window and cd to %h21%\bin
3. Type: h21mon
4. In the h21mon utility type: CHECK -a<fileset #> -d -o -r<repository name> (Note tha... |
Problem Statement: If you have deleted a role in AFW security Server and have not removed the permission for this role in InfoPlus.21 Administrator, you will see that the IP.21 permission for the non-existing role will still be shown in the Administrator and the role name will appear as a long hex number. This might ca... | Solution: Note: If you have MS Access available, you could use it in place of steps 1, 2 and 3.
1. Setup an ODBC DSN connection on the IP.21 server pointing to the AFWDB database.
2. Get into SQLPlus Query Writer and setup a Database Link using the DSN setup in step 1.
3. Insert a new role entry specifying a unique Rol... |
Problem Statement: How can I import and model the Process/Property Data from a HYSYS LNG block into PlateFin? With the case model in PlateFin, how can I then run the model within the HYSYS simulation? | Solution: Importing a HYSYS LNG Block Process & Property Data into PlateFin
Open an Aspen PlateFin Exchanger case from scratch and then, on Input | Problem Definition | Application Options tab, set the Calculation Mode to be ?Design? and the required number of streams as same in the HYSYS case (4 in this example).
... |
Problem Statement: Attempting to load a snapshot into the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database can result in the error message:
Invalid when 21CFR11 enabled | Solution: This message is most frequently encountered for 2 reasons:
1. When one attempts to load a snapshot which was taken before the 21CFR11 feature was enabled for the respective Aspen InfoPlus.21 database. This message indicates that only 21CFR11 enabled snapshots can be loaded into an Aspen InfoPlus.21 datab... |
Problem Statement: The IP.21 client patch (IP060420Y) generates the following message if neither the IP.21 Administrator or the Definition Editor are installed:
Failed to read the key HKLM\Software\AspenTech\Setup\IP21 with error = 2. Proceed anyway
For example, this error can occur when installing the patch on the Web... | Solution: This message can be ignored if no IP.21 client tools exist on the machine.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I delete a plot saved via the plot tool? | Solution: If a tag list plot is saved via the 'save as' on the file menu of the plot tool in this location:
C:\inetpub\wwwroot\AspenTech\ACOView\plots
The plot appears in the web viewer on the history tab in the plot area of the navigation pane.
The only way to delete this plot is to actually navigate to the abov... |
Problem Statement: A customer reported the following scenario:
I am trying to get data from an OPC server into Aspen Calc. To do this I have setup an Aspen OPC-DA user data source in ADSA config. In Aspen Calc, when I assign one of my variables as OPC, I can browse for the point etc, so it appears to be connecting to t... | Solution: It turns out that the problem was with DCOM security on the OPC server. The server had to have default access changed to CONNECT, and change IDENTITY to a specific account because of how the OPC server was written.
Keywords: dcomcnfg
References: None |
Problem Statement: How do I add values with the same daily timestamp? | Solution: Calc Formula:
t1=Month(now()) & / & Day(now()) & / & Year(now()) & 10:00:00 sumvals=(TagHistory(tag1,t1,1))+(TagHistory(tag2,t1,1))
The TagHistory function reads values from Aspen InfoPlus.21 history at a specified timestamp. The T1 variable sets the timestamp by using a combination of builtin functions and... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article describes an automated way to create multiple calculations in Aspen Calc. | Solution: The Aspen Calc product includes a CalcCreate.xls Excel spreadsheet that allows you to create multiple calculations and bind the parameters at once. There are two variations of the CalcCreate spreadsheet. They are the CalcCreate.xls and CalcCreateExample.xls. These files are located in Drive:\Program Files\Asp... |
Problem Statement: How to interpret a zig-zag diagram obtained from Aspen Plate Fin Exchanger. | Solution: The Zig-zag diagram is a traditional way of assessing a layer pattern. It can be drawn up based on a specified (or calculated) duty for each stream, without the need for more detailed calculations. You can view the diagram by going to Thermal Performance | Zigzag diagram
The Zig-zag is a plot of the cumul... |
Problem Statement: How does Aspen Plate Fin Exchanger calculate heat transfer in distributors? | Solution: The distributors at the inlet and outlet of each layer consist of one or two pads of finning, at least one of which is at an angle to the main flow direction, to direct the flow in the main fin to or from the stream header.
Each distributor pad has a defined fin type, and flow direction, so the mass flux (per... |
Problem Statement: Migrating 2004 app to 2006.5 new server / invalid label | Solution: Edit the iqf (by hand) and change the offending labels to all upper case letters.
Keep in mind, when using input calculations, the labels can get word wrapped, be careful not to miss one of the variables that have been wrapped.
ASolution for this issue is now available fromSolution 125426
Keywords: invalid, l... |
Problem Statement: Getting error: this computer does not have write permission to InfoPlus.21 database. | Solution: Changes have been made to both AspenCalc 3.0 and AspenCalc 2.5 which restricts writing to an InfoPlus.21 database. This validation is the same validation used by Process Explorer to determine whether it can write to InfoPlus.21.
Add the following registry entry :
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{710B32A1-7277-11d1-93... |
Problem Statement: When trying to save an On Demand calculation as a Shared calculation using 'Save as Shared' button, Aspen Calc displays 'error write plant area'. What does this error mean? | Solution: When you create an On Demand calculation in Aspen Calc, you have the option to make this calculation available to other clients by storing the calculation as a Shared calculation. A Shared calculation is stored in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database as an IP_CalcDef record. When viewing the fields of an IP_CalcDef... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Calc doesn't allow the creation of an Excel-based formula on a remote node. | Solution: The general procedure to follow is:
1. Create the Excel spreadsheet and save it to an accessible location.
2. Create a formula which references the correct spreadsheet and copy it to the remote node.
3. Finish modifying the formula and then create any calculations requiring the Excel-based f... |
Problem Statement: In Aspen Calc, when using a calculation like ReturnValue = a+b will the Store & Forward functionality work? | Solution: Yes, Aspen Calc supports S&F, but in a calculation the ReturnValue should be left blank, and the output should be used instead. The ReturnValue is only used for AspenCalc Formulas.
A tag needs to be created for the Output, which will be used from historical data as well.
Example: calculate X = A + B (outp... |
Problem Statement: How do I delete a reference to an Aspen Calc formula/calculation that is no longer being used in a formula? | Solution: 1. Export the library as .XML file
2. Close the Aspen Calc application.
3. Remove or rename the library from Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Aspentech\Aspen Calc\lib folder ( Program Files\Aspentech\Aspen Calc\lib folder for versions prior to 2006.5)
4. Edit the .XML ... |
Problem Statement: IQModel would not start using the Excell Addin 2006.5 | Solution: Open and minimize IQmodel before using the Excell Addin.
Keywords: Microsoft Excel
IQmodel
References: None |
Problem Statement: After install, attempting to create an On Demand tag in Aspen Calc produces the error: | Solution: Add any sub-folders that are missing in the ...\Aspentech\Aspen Calc\ directory. Below is how the structure should appear:
Keywords: aspencalc
ondemand
References: None |
Problem Statement: The Excel Add-In fails to correctly retrieve data in an Excel spreadsheet created in Aspen Calc | Solution: When Aspen Calc creates a spreadsheet for you, it is created as a shared file. Because of a Microsoft limitation in how shared files can be accessed and manipulated, it keeps the Process Data Add-In from working correctly. Before adding or attempting to update Process Data Add-In calculations in an Aspen Calc... |
Problem Statement: It is possible to call a method from the Aspen Process Data automation interface within an Aspen Calc calculation even though:
1. The Aspen Process Data automation interface objects do not appear in the list of available COM objects when creating a COM object calculation
and
2. ... | Solution: The following VBScript example code illustrates how to create the Aspen Process Data automation interface object to use within an Aspen Calc VBScript calculation. This particular code example returns the sum of a tag's values for a given time period, the same result that is returned by Aspen Calc's TagSum fun... |
Problem Statement: AspenCalc includes a comprehensive list of formulas that are pre-defined for use in calculations. These can be found in the Builtin library. Formulas from this library can be combined to create more advanced, complicated calculations. One such calculation would be to evaluate a monthly average for an... | Solution: The first step is to build and save a monthly average formula, which is created by referencing standard functions included in the Builtin library. The function can be created with the Formula Wizard, with CalcScript as the Formula Type. The completed function should look like the following:
A = TagAverage(Tag... |
Problem Statement: The CalcScript predefined constants for quality statuses and levels aren't available in VBScript. | Solution: Use the InfoPlus.21 level and status values as defined in the setcim.h header file rather than the predefined constants. The correlation can be found in the setcim.h header file. The pertinent section of this file is copied below.
An example using the demo database:
someValue = (tag1 - tag2) * tag3
ReturnValu... |
Problem Statement: How to interpret the Layer Pattern results in EDR Plate Fin Exchanger? | Solution: Let’s say the following is the layer pattern for which the exchanger is designed.
BAB(ABAC*18)ABABAB
With Layer by Layer Simulation, the detailed heat transfer and pressure drop calculations are performed.
The Results -> Mechanical Summary -> Exchanger Diagram -> Layer Pattern can be interpreted as
Line 1: A ... |
Problem Statement: The Aspen PlateFin can generate two types of files;
· A Process Simulation File (PSF) that contains the process data and properties information in the current PlateFin case. The PSF files can be imported into other EDR programs using the File | Import option.
· A MUI file that is the ... | Solution: Go to the Input | Program Options | Calculation Options | Calculation tab and from “Create PSF or MUI output file” select the appropriate action.
The MUI and PSF files are created in the same directory and with the same name as the current case file, but with the extension *.mui or *.psf instead of EDR.
Since... |
Problem Statement: Password change causes inability to run Aspen Calc on NT. | Solution: The account specified in the AspenTech Calculator Engine service defaults to the account used when installing Aspen Calc. If you change the system username and/or the password for the account specified in the Aspen Calc services, you must also change them in the Services setup. To do so, perform the following... |
Problem Statement: How to import or export Aspen Calc calculations and formulas to XML | Solution: Aspen Calc can import and export calculations and libraries using XML which offers several benefits.
Share Aspen Calc objects with another application.
View and Create Aspen Calc objects using a text or XML editor.
Import calculations and formulas from other systems into Aspen Calc.
Display Aspen Calc objects... |
Problem Statement: To simplify the creation of multiple Schedule Groups, you can copy a Schedule Group on the same server node or to a different server node. You can then rename the Schedule Group. | Solution: To copy a Schedule Group:
In the Schedule Group view, right-click the Schedule Group to be copied. A context menu is displayed.
Click Copy.
Right-click the server node into which you want the Schedule Group to be copied. A context menu is displayed.
Click Paste. The Schedule Group is copied to the selected... |
Problem Statement: What are the calculation modes of Aspen Plate Fin Exchanger? | Solution: There are four calculation modes in Aspen Plate Fin Exchanger. They are (1) Stream by stream simulation, (2) Layer by layer simulation, (3) Checking and (4) Design.
(1) Stream by stream simulation
Both Simulations use specified inlet conditions of each stream, and predict the outlet conditions. The exchan... |
Problem Statement: Some calculations may appear with the red checkmark, indicating they are experiencing an error. The error message that appears under the Properties of the calculation may be:
Error reading InfoPlus.21 data | Solution: Several customers have reported this problem, and for all of them, a simple stop and restart of the Aspen Calc Service has eliminated the error message.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: Excel calculations return error message (Windows NT only).
Error executing calculation: Error Getting Excel Server Dispatch, | Solution: The account you are using should have DCOM default launch permissions.
To do so, perform the following steps:
1 Run dcomcnfg. The Distributed COM Configuration Properties dialog box is displayed.
2 Select the Default Security tab and click Edit Default in the Default Launch Permissions frame. The Registry Val... |
Problem Statement: This KB article shows how to access the repeat area field IO_Device for TSK_DETECT using a calculation developed in Aspen Calc. | Solution: The following two examples demonstrate how to access the repeat area field IO_Device for TSK_DETECT with use of an Aspen Calc calculation. Specifically, they show how to configure Data Binding properties of the calculation.
Example 1)
Example 2)
Keywords: TSK_Detect;
Aspen Calc;
IO_#_of_Tags;
References: ... |
Problem Statement: A user wanted to create a SQLplus script to automatically capture Aspen Calc calculation errors and send them in an email. | Solution: Here's a possibleSolution
local CalcCmd;
local list;
local i int;
local calc;
local str char(75);
CalcCmd = createobject('CalcScheduler.CalcCommands');
list = CalcCmd.GetCalculationList(); --Get a list of all the calculations
FOR i = lbound(list) to ubound(list) DO --Loop through all the calculations in the l... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article discusses whether or not it is possible to change the Parameter Type in a formula or calculation. | Solution: It is not possible to change the Parameter Type of a parameter in a formula or calculation. Aspen Calc sets the parameter type automatically in the formula. In more complicated formulas some parameters are set to input/output. If your formula calls for a different parameter type the best way to accomplish thi... |
Problem Statement: SQLA tags are special records inside an IP.21 Database. They allow you to use Aspen Process Explorer to 'directly' display values held inside tables inside a Relational Database (Oracle or SQL-Server).
Suppose you add an SQLA tag to a Process Explorer plot and see nothing but asterisks for the values... | Solution: Configuration for connecting to the Relational Database is done via the R21 section of a file called C21_Config (See KnowledgebaseSolution 105127 for more details).
There is a parameter inside the R21 section called DEBUG. The default is '0'. Setting it to '1' causes Debug messages to be written to an out fil... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article answers the question of whether or not the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Application Programming Interface (API) is thread-safe. | Solution: The term thread-safe is used to describe subroutines and functions which can be called from multiple threads without unwanted interaction between the various threads. Functions and subroutines are deemed thread-safe if they are protected from multiple simultaneous execution. The Aspen InfoPlus.21 API routines... |
Problem Statement: What is TSK_POP used for? | Solution: The TSK_POP task is used for popup window support for GCS displays. If you are not using GCS, you can check the Skip during startup box for this task.
Keywords: IP.21 manager
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I view the configured Repository Parameters including the existing Buffer and Cache sizes without having to Start the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database and/or Load the History fileset data?
For Example, I have the following scenario:
I am performing an Aspen InfoPlus.21 upgrade to a newer aspenONE s... | Solution: There are two ways to view the currently configured Repository Parameters including the Buffer and Cache sizes for the Repositories on all Aspen InfoPlus.21 systems including V2006.5 and higher systems without having to start the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database and/or have the History filesets loaded.
1. The e... |
Problem Statement: What is the Field_Length field used for in definition records? | Solution: Values set in the Field_Length field represent the size of the actual values stored in IP21. In most cases: signed integers are represented by the number of bits and unsigned integers are the number of bits plus 64. There are exceptions to this rule as seen in the example below. Data displayed in the IP21 Adm... |
Problem Statement: During the installation of Process Explorer on a client system the install fails after entering the account information in the NT Service Configuration screen with the following error.
(Login Failure unknown user name and password) | Solution: Access.....Control Panel\ Administrative Tools\ Local Security Settings\ .....Under Local Policies\User Rights Assignment\... The Administrators group needs to be added to the policy Access This Computer From the Network.
Keywords: login failure
install
References: None |
Problem Statement: When you attempt to stop InfoPlus.21, you may encounter the following error: The users access permission does not allow this operation. | Solution: If you encounter this error and cannot shutdown InfoPlus.21, go to Control Panel....Services and find the InfoPlus.21 Task Service for the group running on the system. Example:
InfoPlus.21 Task Service for Group 200
Stop and restart the task.
Then you should be able to stop InfoPlus.21 through the InfoPlus.21... |
Problem Statement: This knowledge base article provides an example VBScript calculation which computes the average value of one tag (Tag1) when the value of another tag (Tag2) has reached a certain value. | Solution: The sample script is below.
-------------
If Tag2.Value = 0 then
BTime = NOW()
ETime = NOW() - 1
Tag3.Value = TagAverage.function(Tag1, ETime,BTime, 0,0)
else
' Add logic for the case when the Else clause is executed. For example, set Tag3.Value to zero if
' you wish to display a zero when no average ... |
Problem Statement: I have a local variable in an Input Calculation (IC) or Output Calculation (OC) module that is used as both an input and later in the same script as an output. This makes it show up under both Input Variables and Output Variables. In Aspen Inferential Qualities (IQ) Config, the calculation works in... | Solution: The problem is that there is nothing to update the input value for variable ?XX?. The variable ?XX? is a single entity within the Aspen Calc script, but it is stored as both an Input and an Output variable in Aspen IQ. That means it is treated as two separate variables.
TheSolution is to hook the Input variab... |
Problem Statement: What type of filters can be configured for predictions generated by Aspen IQ? | Solution: The IQ prediction (PR module) input variables MVARs for algebraic calculation, *.MDL, or *.IQR model files can optionally include first-order time constant, INFILTT1 (input filter dead time in minutes), second-order time constant, INFLTT2 filters and a dead time, INFILTDT. Additionally, the IQ allows filteri... |
Problem Statement: How can I extend Aspen Inferential Qualities (IQ) trend on Aspen Production Control Web Server (PCWS) beyond 3 days? | Solution: Note that the default is 48 hours and it is set in the exe.config file for the Web Provider Data service. This can be changed up to 240 (ten days). See instructions below...
Next, you can modify your individual Aspen IQ applications and change both the Plot Hours and Max Plot Hours entries to the desired se... |
Problem Statement: You can write a VB script to get the binding parameters of an Aspen Calc calculation. For example, take a simple calculation like a=b+c where the two parameters a and b are bound to IP.21 values. If you are not careful about the variable types that you are using in the code, you may get errors. This | Solution: shows one such error and how you can write your code to avoid it.
Excerpts from the code:
.....
Set calccmd = CreateObject(CalcScheduler.CalcCommands, servername)
list = calccmd.GetCalculationList()
.....
For i = LBound(list) To UBound(list)
If UCase(list(i)) = UCase(calculation_name) Then
Set calc = calccmd.... |
Problem Statement: What is the procedure to allow any AspenTech application to Read/Write data directly from an Aspen InfoPlus21 database? | Solution: Create a Cimio device using Cimio for IP21 to allow cimio to read/write data from the IP21 database. The configuration listed below would need to be performed on the machine running the IP21 server.
1. An external task has to be added for the Cim-IO Server for InfoPlus.21, called TSK_IP21_SERVER. The na... |
Problem Statement: The purpose of this Knowledge Base Article is to discuss a common error that users might encounter after an upgrade of Aspen Calc. Under some circumstances, the following error will occur when attempting to open a Calculation listed under a folder: | Solution: The Failed to edit calculation. Error Saving Edit Object. See file AspenCalcMessageLog.txt for details error will occur when a folder is missing under the Aspen Calc Edit folder.
For different versions of Aspen Calc, the path to the Edit folder is different. For example, in version 2006, the path is C:\Prog... |
Problem Statement: Why is the timestamp of my scheduled calculation using Aspen Calc Store and Forward (S&F) capability showing seconds values > :00?
If you have a calculation that is scheduled to run every minute then you should see the timestamp of the execution of that calculation in the resultant tag's history repe... | Solution: It is recommended that the calculation be created and tested via Aspen Calc. When completely satisfied with the results then add it to the desired schedule group within Aspen Calc and let the execution of the calculation be performed at the scheduled time. This will give a timestamp with the seconds value bei... |
Problem Statement: When the ABAP program is recompiled on SAP and a workflow is executed, the workflow session fails. | Solution: Check to see if Informatica and SAP are both set to send and receive Unicode in the UTF-8 format. There is an issue between SAP and Informatica where SAP ABAP programs generate output in Unicode UTF-16 format, but Informatica is only able to process UTF-8 format. Customers migrating from SAP 4.6 to SAP ECC6.0... |
Problem Statement: Bias not updating, Bias had a bad value | Solution: Occasionally the lab bias (LBIASNEW) can get a bad value in it. You have two choices.
Delete the history
in manage delete the application and answer Y to delete the history
load the application
start it
wait for enough lab samples or enter a few bogus ones to get it going again
Keep the history, setup IQ to ... |
Problem Statement: Running Aspen IQ and Aspen FCC on the same machine creates a Dias installation conflict | Solution: Here is the procedure for getting Aspen FCC 10.2-3 and Aspen IQ 1.2.1 to work together.
Uninstall Aspen IQ, ACO Base and Dais
Reboot
Install Aspen FCC
Find Dais on your computer (likely it is in C:\Program Files\Aspentech\Dais)
Right click on the my computer icon and select properties, go to the enviornment v... |
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