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Problem Statement: This knowledge base article describes the guidelines to follow when modifying Aspen InfoPlus.21 definition records. | Solution: AspenTech does not recommend using standard definition records that have been customized without following certain guidelines. For example, AspenTech would not recommend changing how IP_AnalogDef works without also renaming the record to a different name (e.g., IP_NewAnalogDef)
1. As a general rule C... |
Problem Statement: Do I lose its history values if I rename an Aspen InfoPlus.21 tag? | Solution: No, when changing the name of a tag, you don't lose its history, because the link with history is done via record ID's and not via tag names.
Keywords: lost
tagname
historical values
References: None |
Problem Statement: Physical Address Extension (PAE) X86 is a technology that increases the amount of physical or virtual memory available to user-mode applications. PAE X86 allows servers running Windows Server 2003/2008, Enterprise Edition, and Windows Server 2003/2008, Datacenter Edition, on a 32-bit hardware platfor... | Solution: Aspen InfoPlus.21 is not supported on systems that have Physical Address Extension enabled.
Severe history corruption problems have been reported after enabling PAE on Aspen InfoPlus.21 servers (/PAE switch in the boot.ini file).
IP.21 was not quality checked in conjunction with 36-bit memory addressing and A... |
Problem Statement: Using a version of InfoPlus.21 prior to V7.2, when running SetArchiveDates.exe on Windows Server 2008 the following error message is produced:
Cannot get a list of repositories - please verify tsk_c21_win_init and tsk_h21_init have run
How can one run SetArchiveDates successfully? | Solution: Right-click on the executable and choose 'Run as Administrator'. It will then run as expected. The problem no longer occurs in V7.2 of InfoPlus.21.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: How to perform InfoPlus.21 Manager functions from the DOS prompt. | Solution: To start IP.21, run:
%setcimcode%\tsk_client.exe /start_infoplus21
To stop IP.21, run:
%setcimcode%\tsk_client.exe /stop_infoplus21
To see other available options, run:
%setcimcode%\tsk_client.exe /?
To start the History utilities run:
%h21%\bin\h21mon.exe
To start the Scan/21 monitor run:
%s21%\bin\s21mon.ex... |
Problem Statement: I have this pressure driven simulation. A ramp is increasing the pressure in stream 11. At some point the simulation fails to converge. Any idea?
When turning the solver options to display the highest residuals, it seems the highest residuals are nearly at the | Solution: (e.g. 1e-4 to 1e-5).
Solution
Unfortunately, Aspen Dynamics may fail to converge for all kind of reasons, but it may be worth being on the look out for this problem.
For this specific case, the problem is caused by a limitation of the models when reverse flow is not enabled. As the pressure in stream 11 is... |
Problem Statement: Changing the system clock on an Aspen Watch server computer while InfoPlus.21 is running is a very bad thing. We have encountered two undesirable outcomes.
In the first case, the users set the system clock to some time far in the future (in order to do Y2K testing) and then set it back to the current... | Solution: The attached SQL script can be used to repair the Aspen Watch database if the system clock is changed while InfoPlus.21 is running.
Installation & Use
FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS in the file header BEFORE RUNNING the query.
This application tool has not been reviewed by Aspen Technology's Quality Assurance group, a... |
Problem Statement: How are the ProcedureDef records that are used by the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Configuration Excel add-in created? | Solution: The Aspen InfoPlus21 Configuration Excel add-in requires two ProcedureDef records. These records are created the first time the add-in is used.
How to create the ProcedureDef records used by the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Configuration add-in.
? Open Excel and go to the Aspen Configuration ribbon
Click on ... |
Problem Statement: If one upgrades Aspen InfoPlus.21 the 'Aspen InfoPlus.21 Browser' service may not be listed in the Windows' Services applet (which can be found in Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Services). This knowledge base article describes the best way to re-add that service.
IMPORTANT: Starting with ve... | Solution: To recreate the service:
1. Go to: Start | Run and type: CMD (enter). This brings up the Windows OS prompt (formerly known as the DOS prompt)
2. Type: cd %SETCIMCODE% (enter)
3. Type: ip21serv.exe /remove (enter)
4. Type: ip21serv.exe /create (enter)
5. Go to: Start | Settings | Control Pa... |
Problem Statement: What is the maximum number of characters when creating a Public datasource name in the ADSA? | Solution: You are allowed only 255 characters in ADSA.
Note: After 30 characters you will receive an error or pop up window in screenshot below. Other third party database software may have different requirements so Aspentech recommend 30 characters or less.
Keywords: ADSA
Datasource
Public
References: None |
Problem Statement: Why won't the database expand in my Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator after upgrade to v2006.5? | Solution: This problem is because the particular server that was upgraded had its original IP.21 software installed with a version that still referenced Net.21 functionality. The files located in
Program Files\Aspentech\InfoPlus21\c21\n21\files folder are not cleaned up on this upgrade.
Follow these steps to correct th... |
Problem Statement: Can I run the Diskeeper defrag utility while Aspen InfoPlus.21 is running? | Solution: You should stop InfoPlus.21 before running the Diskeeper defrag utility.
Note about Diskeeper: Diskeeper defragments a system's hard disk automatically in the background.
Keywords: Defragmentation
Third party utilities
Disk keeper
References: None |
Problem Statement: IP_SQLADef records are provided within Aspen InfoPlus.21 to allow a user to display a table of values and times, currently stored in Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle, into Aspen Process Explorer. Knowledge-base article 115051, as well as the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Database User's Guide thoroughly explain ho... | Solution: Check the formatting of the Value fields inside the relational database. The above situation could be seen if the Value field is configured as VARCHAR rather than REAL.
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: On a Win2008 Server you get
CIMIO_USER_ADDDEV_NOFILE, Device definition file does not exist and fail to create CIMIO device using InfoPlus.21 Administrator, even if the device definition file exists. | Solution: Start InfoPlus.21 Administrator using Run as Administrator option.
Keywords: CIMIO_USER_ADDDEV_NOFILE
InfoPlus.21 Administrator
Execute as Administrator
References: None |
Problem Statement: Does Aspen InfoPlus.21 have native database redundancy? | Solution: No ,Aspen InfoPlus.21 does not support native database redundancy
Keywords: Database
Redundancy
Historian
References: None |
Problem Statement: When configuring a tag such as an Analog or Discrete record you need to tell it which history repository to use via a field such as IP_Repository. Why might the list of repositories displayed in the IP_Repository field drop down list contain repositories that are not listed under DiskHistoryDef in th... | Solution: The IP_Repository drop down list may contain repositories that do not display under DiskHistoryDef in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator or in the list of repositories listed in the Historian section.
The Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator uses information stored in ...\AspenTech\InfoPlus.21\c21\h21\dat\config.... |
Problem Statement: How do I remove a record from a folder? | Solution: Using the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator, go to the folder containing the record that you want to remove, and expand the repeat area #DATA_BASE_RECORDS.
On the right screen select the occurrence you want to remove and R-click. From the drop down menu select ?Delete Occurrence?
Keywords: Delete, tags, remov... |
Problem Statement: When you want to import old data into a new repository in the Infoplus.21 database, you may face the problem that the active fileset of this repository has a start time that is recent. To be able to insert data, you will need an active fileset with a start time that is older than the oldest value tha... | Solution: Below are the detailed steps to have a fileset with a start time in the past.
1. Create the repository and add the filesets* and make them available by an Infoplus.21 database restart. Fileset #1 is active with a recent start date;
2. Perform a manual fileset shift. Fileset#2 should become active;
3. ... |
Problem Statement: How do I resolve the message Error number -3 returned from function recload for the .RLD file when using the Snapshot Creation Wizard to load the file gen_apps.rld? | Solution: gen_apps.rld and ip21_lims.rld require three dependency RLDs:
cimgcs
cimsyscmd
cimvals
Select these 3 rlds from the Known RLD files section, in addition to the regular RLDs. Then, in the Additional RLD files section, you can add gen_apps.rld and ip21_lims.rld.
After loading the three dependency RLDs, you sh... |
Problem Statement: In Aspen InfoPlus.21 Health Monitor, warning messages regarding running in unlicensed mode can be seen as shown below.
A restart of the task or restart of Aspen InfoPlus.21 machine did not resolve the issue. Furthermore, the license server is reachable. | Solution: This has to do with SLM configuration on the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server. In order to resolve the issue, apart from ensuring that the license server is reachable, perform as follow:
1. Click on Start | Programs | AspenTech | Common Utilities | SLM Configuration Wizard.
2. Ensure that the option selected ... |
Problem Statement: My Aspen InfoPlus.21 database was started successfully, but when viewed through IP.21 Administrator, all the repositories are not automatically started, and are showing 'RED'. However, they can be started individually by selecting the 'Start' menu through the pop-up menu.
How do I start my repositori... | Solution: One possible reason is the TSK_H21_PRIME task is checked for 'Skip during startup' in Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manager. TSK_H21_PRIME is an essential task and should not be skipped during startup.
Keywords: tasks, start-up
References: None |
Problem Statement: The ?error 94 resetting freeReocrd count? may occur when upgrading an Aspen InfoPlus.21 snapshot on a new system that does not have the available resources to upgrade the database. | Solution: To resolve this error reduce the footprint of your Aspen InfoPlus.21 database.
1. Go back to the original system and open the Properties in the Aspen InfoPlu.s21 Administrator.
2. Adjust the Record Utilization down to an acceptable amount. [around 20% undefined]
3. Adjust the Memory Utiliz... |
Problem Statement: Task Loaddb dies with no messages in the OUT and ERR file. However, in Windows Event Log the following message related to the event was found: Exited with error -1073741819.
How to overcome the above error message? | Solution: Delete the cache.dat files for all repositories and restart your InfoPlus.21 database.
Keywords:
References: None |
Problem Statement: If a plant only has daily or weekly snapshot backups, and those backups themselves are not in turn being backed up in some other location by another process, you could potentially have a snapshot corruption that goes undetected for more than a week, and be left with no usable snapshot to load.
So it ... | Solution: TheSolution is to leave the DatabaseSaveDef record with an empty RESCHEDULE_INTERVAL, and just configure the FILE_NAME appropriately:
Note that any path the InfoPlus.21 Task Service account has the right to write to can be specified. If only the filename is specified, then the snapshot copy will save to t... |
Problem Statement: If a tag is currently pointing to Repository A (as indicated by its IP_REPOSITORY setting), and there is a need to point the tag to Repository B, is it possible to see the data for the tag from both Repository A and Repository B? | Solution: Once the tag is no longer pointing to Repository A, and now pointing to Repository B, it is not possible to see the data from Repository A. In order to capture all of the data from both repositories, the data needs to be pulled out of Repository A into a text file using SQLplus or a custom program - while the... |
Problem Statement: Aspen InfoPlus.21 startup fails in Tsk_Dbclock.
TSK_DBCLOCK.ERR file has something like NetShareGetInfo error 2310 (path //ABCD123/IP21g200His/arc1) error. | Solution: The most likely cause is that the 'share-name' (in this example IP21g200his) is missing from the directory holding all of the archive directories.
Use Windows Explorer to find the directory that contains the arc1 directory. Check the sharing properties and make sure it is set to the share-name seen in the err... |
Problem Statement: With the advent of software such as VMWare and Microsoft Virtual PC allowing the use of virtual PC's running on real PC's, the question often asked is: Does AspenTech support the use of this virtual PC software? | Solution: Versions before aspenONE V7:
While it may work, AspenTech does not officially support the operation of IP.21 in a virtual machine environment, and it's not one of the supported configurations described in the installation manual. AspenTech recommends against running a production IP.21 system on a virtual mach... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to move or delete (just the link) records in a folder? | Solution: To move the records follow the steps below:
a) Select the folder that contains the tags you want to move. (PlantB)
b) Select all the records you want to move to a different folder. (B1 to B10)
c) Drag and drop them into the desired folder. (PlantA)
To delete records from a folder follow the steps b... |
Problem Statement: There are problems that arise if you have installed and uninstalled InfoPlus.21 3.1 a couple of times during an installaltion. The problem is that IP.21 3.1, APR (Aspen Process Recipe) and ATM (Aspen Transition Manager) need to be the last Aspentech products installed on the machine. If you have inst... | Solution: TheSolution is to load all other Aspen products first: DMC, IQ, MIMI, etc., and then load IP.21 and its layered products last. IP.21 has newer .DLL''s that seem to work with the older Aspen products. To clean up the registry, you need to delete all the registry keys for Aspentech in the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOF... |
Problem Statement: In v2.5,1, the pd_server is required only if you are using Batch.21, Event.21, SCAN21, and/or SQLA Tags. In v2.5.1 through 5.0.1, the pd_server is required only if you are using Event.21 and/or SQLA Tags. In v2.5.1 through 6.0.1 the pd_server is required only if you are using SLQA Tags.
TSK_PD_SERVER... | Solution: Found that the task crashed because Event.21, Batch.21, and the BCU were turned on first, before an event_db was created in the MS SQLserver database. To create the event_db database, follow the steps below:
Edit c21_config, and turn off Event.21, Batch.21 and the BCU
Execute \b21\demo\b21sqlcfg.bat (this bat... |
Problem Statement: The HEATX block in Aspen Plus Dynamics has the option LMTDmethod on the Configure table to provide alternate methods for calculating LMTD if the standard method fails. The available options are PreventT-Crossover and AllowT-Crossover. What do these options do? | Solution: LMTDmethod
Note: LMTDmethod is a proprietary algorithm in Aspen Plus Dynamics.
PreventT-Crossover (default): This method performs a procedural calculation of LMTD to prevent a physically impossible temperature crossover condition. It basically monitors all inlet and outlet stream temperatures in the heat ex... |
Problem Statement: Why do Aspen InfoPlus.21 database upgrades take a long time when upgrading from V7.2 or earlier to V7.3 or later? | Solution: In Aspen InfoPlus.21 V7.3, AspenTech increased the maximum number of allowable characters in a tag name from 24 to 256 characters. To accommodate this change, record names reside in a separate table rather than in the records themselves to prevent increasing the size of each record in the database.
When upgra... |
Problem Statement: Is it possible to find and extract the tasks and scripts from a DYNF file without opening Aspen Dynamics? Also, is there a way to put those extracted scripts/tasks into another Aspen Dynamics session? | Solution: The dynf file is a text file, so you can open it with a text editor like Notepad. Here is a summary of steps:
Take a backup copy of the dynf file (just in case you do something wrong)
Do a right mouse click on the dynf file and select Edit
Make sure that the option Wrap lines is off in the Format menu Note: s... |
Problem Statement: A task does not execute, even though the system conditions have changed beyond the trigger point. For example, a task set to execute when the vessel pressure exceeds 14.7 psi, does not execute even when vessel pressure exceeds 30 psi. | Solution: Tasks always operate in METCBAR dimensional unit set, regardless of the Units of Measurement setting. The task manager passes numbers directly to the solver which works in the base units of measure (i.e., the units in which the model has been written). For Aspen Dynamics system models and properties, the unit... |
Problem Statement: After installing and configuring the Aspen SLM Server and Tools and Aspen manufacturing products receive the message:
when using the Aspen Process Explorer product or other AspenONE client tools.- Clicking the Details button shows lines like:
The licensing system is unable to provide licenses t... | Solution: The message may appear under different conditions:
The client system is not able to access the SLM license server.
The client system has not been configured to point to the correct SLM license server.
The message indicates that there are no license tokens available.
Examining the different Aspen products ... |
Problem Statement: How do I start Aspen InfoPlus.21 external tasks from the command line? | Solution: Aspen InfoPlus.21 external tasks may be started from the command line by using the following command:
tsk_client \start_task_by_name TSK_SQL_SERVER
with the TSK_SQL_SERVER as just an example, replace with any of the external tasks.
This will start up the task when it is down, but it fails if it is alrea... |
Problem Statement: Aspentech databases are licensed to our customers based on the number of tags or records which will contain historical data, within History Repeat areas. The entire database (all records and tags) resides in memory, or RAM, with a disk extension for storing longterm history. To be able to allocate su... | Solution: attempts to explain how to configure memory when running InfoPlus.21.Solution
The first place to look is inside the InfoPlus.21 Manager. Look in the top left box of 'Defined Tasks' for TSK_DBCLOCK. Double click on TSK_DBCLOCK so that the fields on the right hand side are filled in. Looking at the bottom Comma... |
Problem Statement: You want to use the Replication feature within Aspen InfoPlus.21, but you cannot find any of the Replication Definition records such as RepSubscriberDef and/or RepPublisherDef. | Solution: Even though you chose Replication as a sub-component of Aspen InfoPlus.21 during install, the Replication records do not automatically get loaded to the Database Snapshot..
The easy workaround is to right click on the Server from within the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator and choose Load Records. From there b... |
Problem Statement: You are trying to start the InfoPlus.21 database from the InfoPlus.21 Manager, but it hangs during startup. When you try to stop the entire database or one of the tasks that were running, you get the error:
Cannot perform the requested action since InfoPlus.21 start is in progress.
This message is pr... | Solution: To solve this issue, restart the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service from the Services Control Panel. Then, stop each of the tasks that were left hanging in the InfoPlus.21 Manager.
Now, you should be able to start the InfoPlus.21 database successfully.
Keywords: IP.21 hangs
IP.21 dies
can't start IP.21 database
I... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: 104933 discusses a problem with the InfoPlus.21 Task Service for Group200 not starting due to the Computer Browser service not running. You may encounter this error when trying to start the Computer Browser Service:
Error 2550: Browser Service was configured with MaintainServerList=NoSolution
If you receive t... |
Problem Statement: It may be difficult or time consuming to delete multiple occurrences from InfoPlus.21. The InfoPlus.21 Administrator allows only a single deletion at one time. As a result, the process can be tedious when deleting multiple occurrences. The InfoPlus.21 API has a function called DELOCCS to delete all o... | Solution: You can write a simple utility to make use of this function either with C or Fortran. The following sample is provided to illustrate use of DELOCCS function.
#include <setcim.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <math.h>
main ()
{
long recid, ftid, occnum;
float value;
char *recname, *recfiel... |
Problem Statement: What does the message in the error.log for a repository shows 'No space left on device'?
Here is an an example of what would be seen in the error.log file for a particular repository:
05 Apr 11 09:44:09 - ARCHIVE: successful program startup
05 Apr 11 09:44:09 - ARCHIVE: create_record() allocate failu... | Solution: Although the drive where the history is being stored for this repository showed that there was about 85% free space, the actual folder for each repository had been locked down to a certain size and this repository was indeed out of space. Increase the amount of space allocated for the problem repository.
Keyw... |
Problem Statement: The following message may appear when starting Aspen InfoPlus.21:
Error Creating Event Object, Error Code = 183'' | Solution: This message can appear when the account used to start the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service is not a member of the local Administrators group on the Aspen InfoPlus.21 server. If necessary, modify the log on as account of the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service to one in the local Administrators group on the Aspen In... |
Problem Statement: You've installed the Aspen License Manager and the license keys that you received with the software. However, now when trying to install the AMS software, you get an error message indicating no licenses are available for the software. | Solution: Don't let the Install Wizard select the License Manager for you. Type in the node name of the computer you installed the License Manager and keys on and the installation should proceed correctly.
Keywords: key
license
install
References: None |
Problem Statement: If the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Access Service is not running, showing references for a point using the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator fails. What prevents the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Access Service from starting? | Solution: The Aspen InfoPlus.21 Access Service requires Aspen InfoPlus.21 to be running. Otherwise, the service dies.
When Aspen InfoPlus.21 starts, the task TSK_ACCESS_SVC activates the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Access Service.
First verify the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Manager starts TSK_ACCESS_SVC. The name of the executable is ip2... |
Problem Statement: How can I load a different baseline for my Aspen Watch KPIs when a feed change or other event occurs? | Solution: Products: Aspen Watch Performance Monitor
Versions: 2006.5 and later
ThisSolution requires knowledge of SQLplus, QueryDef records and Miscellaneous Tags in Aspen Watch.
The simplest method to schedule baseline changes is to create a Miscellaneous Tag in the Aspen Watch database that is updated by some ext... |
Problem Statement: RPCSS memory leak
One issue we have seen crop up with Aspen Watch periodically is a memory leak in the system task called RPCSS. This was also observed during IP.21 testing. This memory leak can be observed by running the Aspen Watch performance tool. | Solution: Microsoft has a hotfix for it Q265433, and although we do not have permission to distribute the fix, a call to Microsoft will secure a copy.
Keywords: RPCSS, AspenWatch, Q265433
References: None |
Problem Statement: How can I get a Dump of KPI data, with averages, into VECTOR file? | Solution: Consider the following for dumping the KPI data with the averages:
When exporting tag data using the History Plot's Export menu (in Aspen Watch), the default interval selected for the vector file data is 60 seconds (in 2006.5). In more recent versions, Aspen Watch allows you to specify an interval (up to 5 ... |
Problem Statement: Aspen Smart Audit fails with a pop-up error message that says: Warning? XLS File Saving Error? Ask for assistance!. | Solution: When trying to create the Aspen Smart Audit report (Save Report As), it tries to create a ModelName.xls file but then gives the messages:
Warning? XLS File Saving Error? Ask for assistance!
?SmartAudit This action cannot be completed because the other application is busy. Choose `Switch To? to activate the bu... |
Problem Statement: Inspector Hangs on initialization if user is not in Administrators group.
The symptoms were first noted with AMS 5.0 but most likely will apply to prior versions as well, since normally a user will have been a member of the Administrators group on his own PC. This has likely occurred because of share... | Solution: There are two changes that must be made to the registry. To make the changes you must use Regedt32 (regedit won't work. You NEED to use regedt32).
Navigate to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\\Software\\Classes\\AspenTech.AspenWatch.Connection\\CLSID
with CLSID highlit, click the security menu item across the top of the r... |
Problem Statement: How many tags can be added to a Plot List? | Solution: 682 is the maximum number of tags that can be added to a Plot list. The limit is determined by the total record size which cannot exceed 64K.
Keywords: Production Control Web Server, Web interface, PCWS, Aspen Watch Performance Monitor, Plot list, tags
References: None |
Problem Statement: The attached batch files will create and delete numerous copies of the same Aspen Calc equations.
This | Solution: , for internal use, is for development, testing or support to test AspenCalc functionality. It should not be given to customers without understanding what they plan to do with the scripts.Solution
Both ExpandCalc.bat and DeleteCalc.bat files are attached to thisSolution. Copy both files to the <drive>:\PROGRA... |
Problem Statement: When performing an upgrade on the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database the upgrade procedure fails with a message like the following:
Cannot create 'recordname' in target database ** Name used by recordname ** UPGRADE STOPPING BEFORE COMPLETION!!! PLEASE, FIX OR DELETE 'recordname' IN THE SOURCE DATABASE AND S... | Solution: Some kind of special character, one that is unacceptable to the Upgrade procedure, is included in the name of the specified record. For example, there may be a 'tab' character at the end of a record name which would not appear when viewing the record name.
Locate the record on your source system using the As... |
Problem Statement: How do I fix Error 77101? Is there a quick way of checking which are the Bad Tags and set them to SCAN OFF? | Solution: When using the Cim-IO/OPC server, if a non-existent tag is requested, the device status returned for that tag will be 77101. This number indicates a Cim-IO server facility of 77 for OPC and an error of 101 for invalid tag.
SQLplus can be used to list the Bad Tags and set them to SCAN OFF.
The query below can ... |
Problem Statement: A particular customer scenario:
We recently changed some meters to a new DCS system. Instead of simply pointing the new tags to update the already created history table in the existing historian, I created by mistake new tags with different names in the historian and then started up again using that ... | Solution: NOTE: In regards to the request submitted in CQ00245728 for AspenTech to provide an automated and standard capability to allow for merging IP.21 databases and/or selected Tag Sets and preserve History, that request has been noted as a roadmap item requested by Product Management and is being considered for a ... |
Problem Statement: Sometimes the following error message can be found in the IO_DATA_STATUS field of a GET record: setcim db error with the IO_DATA_STATUS_DESC field reading, Data changed but no history generated.
The above error is often suspected to be caused by the way some interfaces' scan intervals are set. Exampl... | Solution: Make sure that the system times of the IP.21 server, the Interface server, and the DCS are in sync (especially after a daylight savings time change). If not, then they must be synchronized before you continue the troubleshooting process.
Check the timestamps of the data values sent by the CIMIO interface; set... |
Problem Statement: Why are all fileset % Full fields showing zero in a repository?
Some customers may experience an error with the % Full field for all filesets in a repository as the shown in the figure below:
Figure 1- %Full parameter error | Solution: 1)The first thing to check is to go the directory that the arc files point to by viewing the FilePath field as shown in the figure below:
Figure 2-Filepath parameter for a fileset
If there are no arc files there then you should edit the filepath parameter for the fileset and point to the directory where t... |
Problem Statement: After an upgrade, some Aspen SQLplus scripts saved into Querydef records started failing with the message:
Failed to open <PathAndFile> for output at line ## | Solution: During the Aspen InfoPlus.21 upgrade, the account used to run the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Task Service was changed from a domain account with Local Administrator rights to a local account (but still with Administrator rights.) All the queries contained in records execute with the rights of the Task Service account.... |
Problem Statement: The Aspen Calc calculated value I'm generating is not the same as the value written to the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database; the precision gets modified. Why is this and how can I fix it? | Solution: The reason for the value discrepancy is that Aspen Calc uses double precision values, whereas Aspen InfoPlus.21 uses single precision values.
If you would like to use double precision float, which has 15 digits precision, you will need to create a custom definition record and modify it to use a double precisi... |
Problem Statement: I have exported a simulation from Aspen Plus to Aspen Dynamics. The initialization run is failing. what can I do? | Solution: When this happens, you should report the problem because it is likely to be a bug. We could then investigate and advise a work around or provide a fix. The notes below give you some information if you wish to do some of the troubleshooting yourself.
When you export a file from Aspen Plus to Aspen Dynamics, ... |
Problem Statement: Sometimes using AspenTech Uninstaller is not sufficient to be able to re-install AspenTech software from scratch.
In some occasions, re-installing AspenTech software on a non-clean machine, might cause issues, or might even fail, but it might not be possible to re-install Windows OS in order to start... | Solution: The following steps should help cleaning the machine properly without the need of re-installing the OS:
Stop all AspenTech services.
Run AspenTech Uninstaller.
Uninstall all AspenTech software.
Delete the following directories:
o C:\Program Files (x86)\AspenTech\
o C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\As... |
Problem Statement: I am creating a new custom definition record and would like to add a ghost field to it, how can I achieve this? | Solution: It is assumed that the user is able to use the definition editor and examples are provided of existing ghost fields in the database: IO_GROUP_PROCESSING and IO_GROUP_PERMISSION
These fields are defined within the Selector Record Io-Groups:
Io-Groups has two fields defined within its repeat area: IO_GROUP_... |
Problem Statement: How do I resolve Build. Character length mistmatch for entry: when trying to open a ccf exported from Inspector (Aspen Watch)?
The message points to a Comment line that usually includes especial characters, such as accents: ´, `, ˆ, °, ¨, ˘; letters: ñ, ç, ß; etc.
The best practice is to avoid the u... | Solution: DMCplus Build does not support a multi-wide character format text file. None of the DMCplus utilities support any file format other than ANSI. It accepts only ANSI text files.
The version marker at the beginning of a *.ccf file is CCF_Version 1. When you save the file in any other text format other than ASCII... |
Problem Statement: You are not able to collect from a DMCplus or APC application in Aspen Watch Maker, the Last Run column updates but the last update shows nothing, the ID is “0” and you can’t find any error messages on the TSK_ACPx, TSK_AWx or the repository errors log. | Solution: The problem is that the ID for each controller on Maker is different from the AW_CTL_LIST occurrences under AW_FOLDERDef. Follow these steps to solve the problem:
1. Stop the collection of all your controllers and delete the ones that have ID=0 from AW Maker
2. Go to IP.21 Administrator and go to the ... |
Problem Statement: What is a good text on using dynamic simulators in chemical processing and control? | Solution: The book Plantwide Dynamic Simulators in Chemical Processing and Control illustrates the techniques and fundamentals to develop, design, and test plantwide regulatory control schemes with commercial dynamic simulation packages. Book includes an examples CD showing the capabilties of Hysys Dynamics and Aspen D... |
Problem Statement: I am having problems setting up a cascade controller for a distillation tower. I have been using a flow driven simulation but the flow does not seem to respond to the valve movement. | Solution: In order to have a cascaded flow control, a relationship must exist between the valve opening and the flow in the streams connected to the valve. Mostly with a flow driven simulation, one will find that the newly exported file from Aspen Plus will have both the valve opening and say the distillate flow rate (... |
Problem Statement: How to locate an equation from the names reported in simulation messages or diagnostic tools? | Solution: When a name is not supplied by the model developer, the equations are given an automatic name, starting from AM_Eqn<n>, where n starts from 1. Note that if you have a model that uses another one (ie model flash2 uses inletmixer), the equation number 1 is in inletmixer, and the first equation of flash2 is one ... |
Problem Statement: The SAI.his file generated by Aspen Dynamics and Aspen Custom Modeler grows to a rather large size. The information in the file is not necessarily always useful; how can it be reduced? | Solution: Physical properties diagnostics, which include any errors and warnings, generated during Aspen Dynamics or Aspen Custom Modeler simulations is written to the history file - SAI.his. This file is located in the working directory of the Aspen Dynamics or Aspen Custom Modeler simulation. The level of output to t... |
Problem Statement: If you have a flowsheet using different property methods in different sections you may find that although your problem exports with no errors to Aspen Dynamics, it will fail to initialise with some error in the properties (flash) calculations. Alternatively the system may initialise to a different st... | Solution: The reason for this unexpected behaviour is that properties, such as density, that are used in the pressure flow equation for the connecting block, are calculated for inlet conditions. For versions before 10.1 the calculations are made based on outlet conditions - we have found that theSolution of the dynamic... |
Problem Statement: There is a statement in the InfoPlus.21 V3.1 Installation manual that says:- Each InfoPlus.21 external task consumes an amount of both virtual and physical memory. Windows NT is memory intensive and to some degree, more memory means more performance. Consider removing the unused tasks, scan21 for exa... | Solution: In InfoPlus.21 version 2.5.1, the TSK_PD_SERVER was required when using Scan.21 interfaces, and/or Event.21, and/or Batch.21 and/or SQLA tags. With version 3.1, Batch.21 has been rewritten, and no longer utilizes TSK_PD_SERVER. Also, Scan.21 interfaces have been retired. That just leaves Event.21 and SQLA tag... |
Problem Statement: System Error 1326 when opening a file occurs when Save Snapshot operation attempted. | Solution: This occurs when the admin password has been changed, but not correctly synchronized between Windows NT and IP.21 manager.
To correctly change the passwords without necessitating an IP.21 Stop and Start, follow these steps:
IP.21 Manager, choose Actions | Modify Task Service | put in new password, confirm, ch... |
Problem Statement: Why will TSK_DETECT stop executing immediately upon startup? The .out and .err files were both empty and the only messages in the event log about TSK_DETECT were startup completed messages. | Solution: A logical device that had been set up for Aspen Cim-IO redundancy had been removed via the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator I/O Wizard but the associated entry was not removed from the TSK_DETECT external record in the IP.21 database. Once that you remove this occurrence from the repeat area then TSK_DETECT wi... |
Problem Statement: I have created this simple flowsheet with a valve, a pipe and another valve. I would like to study what happens if I close the feed valve and leave the product valve open. I have exported the simulation as pressure driven, loaded the file in Aspen Dynamics and done an initialization run. When I chang... | Solution: This is because some state variables are specified as Rateinitial. The Rateinitial specification enforces the value of the time derivative of the variable at time zero, and typically the value of this derivative is specified to 0. This means that essentially the initialization run is solving the equations for... |
Problem Statement: Can't start Aspen InfoPlus.21 database.
The Repository Error log file shows messages like:
ARCHIVE: Archive > 28 data file open failure
This type of error is seen when the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Archiver process can't write data to the arc.dat file of a fileset during normal operation, usually because of ... | Solution: Run the the ..InfoPlus.21/c21/h21/bin/h21archiveWizard executable to repair the fileset with the problem, 28 in this case.
NOTE: To be able to run the h21ArchiveWizard with Aspen InfoPlus.21 Database not running, please see our kb article 124612
To prevent this problem, ensure that the folders and files use... |
Problem Statement: How to setup an additional IODEVxx CIM-IO device for AspenWatch? | Solution: The attached word document details the procedure involved in setting up additional logical devices, IODEV's for AspenWatch, to include configuring an IODEVx to collect data from the DMCplus Context, that is not collected by default.
AspenWatch provides for default IODEVx's for collecting Miscellaneous and P... |
Problem Statement: This Knowledge Base article provides steps to resolve the following error:
Server object error 'ASP 0178 : 80070005'
Server.CreateObject Access Error
/AspenTech/AFW/Security/pfwauthz.asp, line 245
The call to Server.CreateObject failed while checking permissions. Access is denied to this object.
... | Solution: When Aspen applications are installed on a drive other than C:\ and the IIS is installed on drive C:\, the IIS (or the account used during installation) may not have rights to grant IUSR account READ access permission to the pfwauthz.asp file.
As indicated by the above-mentioned error message, the IUSR accoun... |
Problem Statement: After upgrading IP.21, the snapshot saved in the previous version will not load into the upgraded version. Error window is received when loaddb attempts to start:
InfoPlus.21 Manager
An error is received trying to start loaddb. | Solution: Allocate more memory space in the command line parameter of TSK_DBCLOCK perSolution 103866.
Keywords: double
dbload
failure
References: None |
Problem Statement: I'm installing Aspen Manufacturing Suite V7.2, but I cannot proceed with the installation, because I get the following Java error message:
AspenTech Installer is installing JDK/JRE 6 Update 14. This can take several minutes to complete. Please wait?
One or more of the selected features require JRE 6 ... | Solution: Install JDK kit from java's website, making sure you download the correct version (JDK/JRE 6 update 14 in this case, not the latest) and then run the DVD to install the Manufacturing Suite.
For older versions of java: http://java.sun.com/products/archive/
Keywords: None
References: None |
Problem Statement: Transfer records are not activating and the message Asynchronous Not Allowed appears in the IO_LAST_STATUS field of the transfer record(s). The user has also verified that IO_ASYNC? has been enabled for the transfer-record(s). | Solution: Asynchronous communication must also be enabled at the Device record level. To complete this task:
1. Go to the fixed area of the Device Record
2. Set IO_ASYNC? to YES to enable Asynchronous communication at the Device-record level.
Keywords: Asynchronous Not Allowed
IO_ASYNC?
IO_LAST_STATUS
Device Re... |
Problem Statement: InfoPlus.21 database and its components (e.g. ADSA, Security, License Manager) can be installed either on one or several different nodes. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult to ascertain which security arrangement (Local or Framework) has been implemented in a particular IP.21 database install... | Solution: 1:
--
click Start | Settings | Control Panel | Data Sources (ODBC) | System DSN tab
--
observe the driver associated with the AFWDB data source:
- if it's a Microsoft Access Driver, Local Security is installed
- if it's a Microsoft SQL Driver, Framework Security is installed
Another way to verify the type o... |
Problem Statement: If you are unable to create a new record in ENGCON or the InfoPlus.21 Administrator
Scenario #1: with ENGCON
When in Engcon ==> select General Record Maintenance ==>
1) type in a Definition record that you want to create the new record with
2) After a Definition record has been selected , you should ... | Solution: The problem to the two scenarios above is that you have just exceeded the available record ID limit. In order to create additional records, you must go into the InfoPlus.21 Administrator ==> right click on Group200 ==> select Properties ==> select Record Utilization tab and look at how many records IDs are al... |
Problem Statement: Aspen InfoPlus.21 Tag and Data Replication will replicate new records to the Subscriber if Enable replication when an *Def record is created is enabled for the definition record. If new records do not replicate as expected and this was a recent upgrade from an earlier version or Aspen InfoPlus.21 pat... | Solution: Changes to the queue message size between versions and patches could cause some messages to be rejected by the Subscriber. In this case the recommendation is toÂ
On the Publisher
· Stop Aspen Infoplus.21
· Stop all AspenTech services
· Go the group200\Replication folder and delete ... |
Problem Statement: Change a controller from one AWCollect/DMCwatch set to another. | Solution: Change a controller from one AWCollect/DMCwatch set to another.
This explanation assumes that the user is reasonably familiar with IP.21 Manager, Record fixed areas, and Record repeat areas.
To change a controller so it is using a different set of tasks (tsk_aw0x and tsk_cl0x), only two changes need be made, ... |
Problem Statement: DMCplus context server stops without explanation or warning | Solution: When the context server stops without message or warning, a very likely problem is that a point was requested that does not exist. The most likely reason for this, is changes to the .ccf and .mdl files for the DMCplus controllers, that have not been migrated to the AspenWatch database.
When there have been ch... |
Problem Statement: How to see Aspen Watch data in a third party OPC? | Solution: First, on your Watch server open ADSA Config and make sure directory server is the PCWS (Web server). If you go to Public Data sources, make sure it is configured to see the Watch Server.
Click Edit and make sure you have the Aspen DA for IP.21 service listed.
Next step is to configure DCOM to add the... |
Problem Statement: What are the OSIDX and CVPERF KPIs signify? and how are they being generated? | Solution: The OSIDX and CVPREF are built-in CV KPIs. They are generated when a CV analysis case is scheduled and ran through PCWS.
The OSDIX (Oscillation Index) KPI, provides a measure of the percent of time the CV error (CV - Steady State Target) is made up of oscillation or periodic cycles. The CVPREF (CV Control... |
Problem Statement: Are Internet Information Services (IIS) required for Aspen Watch Performance Monitor servers? Why is it required? Is it possible to avoid IIS installation? | Solution: IIS is ONLY required for the Web Server component, not for Performance Monitor. Installation guide document is misleading. A documentation defect was logged to correct installation guide.
In case you require to have an Aspen Watch Performance Monitor IIS-free installation, follow the below procedure:
1. F... |
Problem Statement: I am setting up a control scheme in Aspen Plus Dynamics to control the temperature in a RPLUG reactor how can I access the reactor temperature on a certain position to use it as a controler input, for example the temperature on a specific position in the RPLUG, the variable is called BLOCKS(reactorna... | Solution: The temperature profile is not exposed as output variables on which you can connect a control signal. However you may achieve the same using flowsheet constraints to set the PV variable of the controller to be equal to the temperature variable in the profile.
The attached example illustrates how this can be d... |
Problem Statement: Modelling delay behavior in PIPE model | Solution: Configuring response delays in PIPE model, you need to choose theSolution method constant dPdL. In order to do this, you need to right click on the PIPE3 model, go to configure, and selectSolution method Const-dp-dl.
- Delay behaviors are designed only for Composition and Enthalpy (temperature)
- Because co... |
Problem Statement: | Solution: For PID loop monitoring, Aspen Watch currently supports only a limited subset of all available DCS Cim-IO Servers; however, three CUSTOM DCS Types are provided, which can be configured for additional DCS Cim-IO Servers. Implementing a CUSTOM DCS interface involves creating a configuration file (.CFG) and a SQ... |
Problem Statement: How much effect should the range of a temperature controller have?
What should the range be?
For example:
If the range is 50C, the response was 7 minutes with more overshoot.
If the range is the default of 400C, the response is 55 minutes with less overshoot.
This seems like a big difference in the... | Solution: The gain is calculated from the range:
[gain withunits] = [gain] [range OP] / [rangePV]
The default range is frequently too wide and should be narrowed to the actual range.
Keywords: controller
References: None |
Problem Statement: How is the heat of reaction computed? This value does not correspond to my own data some times so I would like to specify my own heat of reaction, rather than use the one calculated by Aspen Properties. Is it possible to specify it and how can it be done? | Solution: Heat of reaction calculation
The Heat of Reaction calculation is done in the Reaction Toolkit. It is computed by calculating the enthalpy of a mixture of reactants in stoichiometric proportion at reference temperature and pressure and subtracting it from the enthalpy of a mixture of the products in stoichiome... |
Problem Statement: During the installation of Aspen InfoPlus.21 (IP.21) or any IP.21 family of products that uses NobleNet PortMapper users might get the following error
Error 1920. Service NobleNet Portmapper for TCP (NobleNet Portmapper for TCP) failed to start. Verify that you have sufficient privileges to start sys... | Solution: describes how to resolve this error and proceed with the installation successfully.
Solution
NobleNet Portmapper by default uses port 111 and if that port is being used by any other process the service fails to start with the error message mentioned. This error can be resolved by following one of the two proc... |
Problem Statement: After upgrading to V7.3 the following error The Additems Method failed is received for tags read through an OPC connection. The error appears in the IO_DATA_STATUS field of a GET record: | Solution: As of Aspen InfoPlus.21 V7.2, the Infoplus21 OPC DA Server COM component has been replaced with a component called IP21 OPC Data Access .Net Server Wrapper, which is a re-implementation of this COM server based on a .NET SDK provided by the OPC Foundation.
This IP21 OPC Data Access .Net Server Wrapper Ser... |
Problem Statement: Overview of new features that were incorporated in V7.2 Aspen InfoPlus.21 family | Solution: The V7.2 version of AspenTech's Performance Management software suite, collectively called the InfoPlus.21 family, contains several major new or re-designed features, and many other improvements that bolster robustness, usability, and performance. See the Release Notes for more details.
Improved IP.21 Tag a... |
Problem Statement: When running the Database Upgrade Wizard you get the following error: | Solution: If you still have your old version of Aspen InfoPlus.21 available, go back to that system.
1. Right click on the node name within the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Administrator and select properties.
2. In the memory utilization tab please change the value in the white background box next to 'Total' memory, to the s... |
Problem Statement: What is the difference between Record & Memory utilization, for records in Aspen InfoPlus 21? | Solution: In Aspen InfoPlu21 administrator, the database properties will have details of record utilization and memory utilization. This article describes the difference between record & memory utilization.
Record utilization:
Record utilization is calculated based on the number of license points.
If the maximum lice... |
Problem Statement: Point License Count Determination:
How is the Total Amount of Used Points determined, including instances where Custom Tags have been Implemented in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Database? | Solution: An Internal Point Count for the Aspen InfoPlus.21 Database Snapshot is incremented by one point each time a record with one or more History Repeat Areas is created.
Thus, every record created with at least one History Repeat Area counts toward the Total Point Count.
For example, if 3 new records are created e... |
Problem Statement: Is there a way to tell what process is locking the Aspen InfoPlus.21 database? | Solution: The Aspen InfoPlus.21 utility GETLOCKID returns the process ID of the program locking the database. With the process ID, you can use the Windows Task Manager to get the program's image name.
GETLOCKID is located in the Aspen InfoPlus.21 code directory. The default location of the code directory is:
<drive>:\P... |
Problem Statement: When using different data slices, Aspen Watch Maker averages with BAD values giving unrealistic baselines. For example here is the base line calculation for the Alarm low percent of a CV:
Data Slice
Baseline
Threshold
1
94.2682
0.5
2
-9999
-9999
3
-9999
-9999
4
-9999
-9999
All data slices
-7475.68
0.... | Solution: To avoid this problem check the “Calculate undefined baselines only� on the Baseline Case Management.
This way it will use the Baseline and Threshold values from the current active case ((more accurately, the values are retrieved from the Aspen Watch database). Then, for only those instances where Baselin... |
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