Sierra 5391-02, 5391-01 User Manual

Sentry LANServer

USERS MANUAL

This manual will help the user set up the Sentry LANServer; browse to the various pages and
provides basic troubleshooting guidelines. If the user is going beyond the standard web pages
provided with the LANServer and needs to design and construct specific pages then please use
the manual “Sentry LANServer – Developer’s Manual”.

APPLICABILITY & EFFECTIVITY

This manual provides instructions for the following Sierra Monitor products:

Model Description
5391-01 Sentry LANServer, 1-4 Sentry Controllers
5391-02 Sentry LANServer, 5+ Sentry Controllers

The instructions are effective for the above models as of December 1, 1998

Instruction Manual Part Number: T12017

Rev.A1.

T12017-Sentry_LANServer_Users_Manual Table of Contents

Table of Contents

1.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION ......................................................................................... 4

1.1. General .................................................................................................................. 4

1.2. Features................................................................................................................. 4

1.3. Operation ............................................................................................................... 4

1.4. Sentry Firmware Version........................................................................................ 5

1.5. Connections ........................................................................................................... 5

2.

QUICK START ........................................................................................................... 8

2.1. LANServer Terminology ......................................................................................... 8

2.2. Quick Start ............................................................................................................. 8

3.

BROWSER SECURITY SETTINGS............................................................................ 9

3.1. ActiveX Controls and Security ................................................................................ 9

3.2. Setting Browser Security Settings for ActiveX controls ........................................... 9

3.3. Cookies and Browser Security.............................................................................. 11

3.4. Setting the Browser Privacy Settings for Cookies................................................. 11

4.

OTHER BROWSING COMPUTER SETTINGS......................................................... 13

4.1. Synchronizing/Setting LANServer Time................................................................ 13

5.

BROWSING AND INTERPRETING SENTRY INFORMATION................................. 14

5.1. General Browsing - Navigating............................................................................. 14

5.2. Interpreting Zone Buttons..................................................................................... 14

5.3. Interpreting Sentry-Sensor Controls ..................................................................... 16

5.4. Interpreting Sentry -Combo Controls .................................................................... 17

5.5. Interpreting Sentry Alarms.................................................................................... 18

5.6. Understanding the Alarm Table Colors................................................................. 19

5.7. Acknowledging Alarms ......................................................................................... 19

5.8. Interpreting Sentry Events.................................................................................... 21

5.8.1. Event Report Types.......................................................................................... 21

5.9. Understanding the Events Page........................................................................... 23

5.9.1. Events Page and the Date / Time..................................................................... 23

5.9.2. What happens if Event Logging is disabled? .................................................... 23

5.9.3. Potential Problems with Event Logging............................................................. 24

5.10. Managing Sentry Events ...................................................................................... 25

5.10.1. Uploading ..................................................................................................... 25

5.10.2. How Event Time Stamps are reported .......................................................... 26

5.10.3. Manual upload.............................................................................................. 26

5.10.4. Potential Problems with an Upload ............................................................... 26

5.11. Interpreting the Sentry Face Plate ........................................................................ 27

5.11.1. Troubleshooting the Sentry FacePlate Screen.............................................. 31

5.12. Backing Up the Sentry Calibration Data ............................................................... 32

5.12.1. Calibration Backup Control ........................................................................... 32

5.13. Interpreting Analog, Text and LED controls .......................................................... 34

5.13.1. Analog Controls............................................................................................ 35

5.13.2. Text Controls ................................................................................................ 35

5.13.3. LED Controls ................................................................................................ 36

5.14. Using the LANServer to allow customers to upload files....................................... 37

APPENDIX 1. TROUBLESHOOTING ............................................................................. 38

Appendix 1.1. Objects Report ‘Offline’ ......................................................................... 38

Appendix 1.2. Objects report ‘Not Found’ .................................................................... 38

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T12017-Sentry_LANServer_Users_Manual Table of Contents

Appendix 1.3. Page login.htm not found ...................................................................... 38

Appendix 1.4. User ids and passwords are not available for validation. Try again. ...... 38

Appendix 1.5. Alarm Page doesn’t auto refresh when there is a new alarm................. 38

Appendix 1.6. Buttons Display in White ....................................................................... 39

Appendix 1.7. Cookie Length....................................................................................... 39

Appendix 1.8. Sentry Calibration Backup (SentryBK) produces a warning message on
completion. 40

Appendix 1.9. LANServer Configuration LED .............................................................. 40

APPENDIX 2. LANSERVER ERROR MESSAGES......................................................... 41

APPENDIX 3. WINSOCK ERROR MESSAGES ............................................................. 46

APPENDIX 4. FIELDSERVER ACTIVEX CONTROLS.................................................... 56

Appendix 4.1. Ana1 ..................................................................................................... 56

Appendix 4.2. LED1..................................................................................................... 56

Appendix 4.3. Char1.................................................................................................... 56

Appendix 4.4. Limitations and Supported Environments.............................................. 57

APPENDIX 5. GENERAL ................................................................................................ 58

Appendix 5.1. 9.1 Browser Caching............................................................................. 58

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1. Product Description

1.1. General

Sierra Monitor Corporation offers a wide range of choices for data output from Sentry Gas
Monitoring systems. In some cases a simple printer output of gas conditions, calibration
confirmations and alarms is satisfactory to meet due diligence requirements. In large plant­wide monitoring situations the Modbus serial communications output is used to interface to
existing or new GUI programs that might include information from other safety and process
systems in the plant. For most applications the solution lies between these two choices.
The Sentry LANServer has been developed to combine the power and flexibility of the
Sentry Gas Risk Management System with the interoperability strength of the FieldServer
LANServer from FieldServer Technologies. The reliability of a proven gas detection system
is combined with the modern technology of the web.

1.2. Features

The LANServer provides a cost-effective, easy-to-use graphical display of hazardous gas
conditions using the Microsoft™ Explorer web-browser

• Safety data presented visually on a PC located in the plant or remotely

• Interaction with the hazardous gas detection system through a familiar web browser - no

requirement to learn a new GUI program

• Ability to web-browse to system data using LAN, WAN or over the Internet

• Easy to configure graphical color changes are displayed as events

• All current alarms dynamically displayed and updated on a single web page

• An event log provides easy access to history for due diligence

• Cost-effective system includes ActiveX tools to configure using Microsoft FrontPage.

• The full system available from a single supplier with an outstanding reputation for before

and after sales technical support

1.3. Operation

All of the data available from the Sentry Modbus serial communications link interfaces to the
LANServer via an RS-232 link. The LANServer converts the information into a graphical
display package that can be viewed using Microsoft Internet Explorer. Standard introductory
screens enable the user to start operating immediately. Configuration software and the
ActiveX tools supplied enable the user to modify the provided display to individual
specifications using Microsoft FrontPage. Sierra Monitor can provide graphical design and
development service if desired.

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The standard LANServer package includes a “home” screen, a graphical “zone” screen, a
tabular “zone” screen, an alarms screen, an event log screen and the Sentry display

screen. The Alarms page contains all active alarms and notes whether or not they have
been acknowledged. The Event Log page notes all events (alarms and change of states)
that have occurred over a recent period of time.

1.4. Sentry Firmware Version

The LANServer is designed to work with Sentry controllers containing Sentry Firmware of
version 6.10bF or newer. If the Sentry controller in question has an older firmware version
please contact Sierra Monitor or a local SMC representative to obtain the necessary
upgrade.

1.5. Connections

The standard Sentry LANServer Model 5391-01 includes the FieldServer Technologies
LANServer plus the necessary cables and connectors to interface the LANServer to the
Sentry controller and to the Ethernet. In a typical application the LANServer will be mounted
in a NEMA 4X enclosure with the Sentry controller (Figure 1.1). If ordered with a Sentry
NEMA 4X package the LANServer will already be installed in the enclosure with the serial
connection from the LANServer to the Sentry controller(s). The LANServer will also be
connected to an RJ45 connection mounted on the outside of the enclosure to which the user
can connect to the LANServer via the web, WAN or Internet.

Fig 1.1: Model 5391-01 LANServer in NEMA 4X Enclosure

In applications where only one Sentry controller is involved (1 to 8 sensors) the LANServer
will connect to the Sentry controller via RS-232 and to the PC with the LAN browser via a
crossover Cat5 cable (or via a hub with a standard cat5 cable). (Figure 1.2)

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Fig 1.2: Model 5391-01 LANServer with single Sentry Controller

For applications requiring the use of 2 to 4 Sentry controllers it is necessary to utilize RS­485 communication from the controllers to the LANServer. Each Sentry will have a 4301-10
RS-232/RS-485 converter to provide the necessary RS-485 communication from the Sentry.
This RS-485 link will interface to the RS-485 port on the LANServer. The Ethernet output
from the LANServer can then interface directly to a computer (via a crossover cable) or to
the LAN, WAN, Internet or PC via a hub. (Figure 1.3)

Fig. 1.3: Model 5391-01 LANServer with 2-4 Sentry Controllers

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In applications calling for greater than 4 Sentry controllers it will be necessary to use the
Model 5391-02 LANServer which consist of the larger multiport LANServer from FieldServer
Technologies. In such applications multiple Sentry controllers can interface to the
LANServer via either RS-232 or RS-485 interface and the LANServer will interface to the
PC, LAN, WAN or Internet via the Ethernet port. (Figure 1.4)

Fig 1.4: Model 5391-02 LANServer with greater than 4 Sentry Controllers

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2. Quick Start

2.1. LANServer Terminology

Browsing PC
LANServer

The PC being used to view the web pages.
A LANServer is a program that, using the World Wide Web's Hypertext
Transfer Protocol (HTTP), serves the files that form Web pages to
browsing PC. As an example, every computer on the Internet that
contains a Web site must have a Web server program.

Web Browser

The software application used to connect to and view pages on the
Internet. The Sentry LANServer is designed to be view on Internet
Explorer. If using another Web Browser check with Sierra Monitor for
compatibility.

2.2. Quick Start

Step 1: Find the IP address of the Sentry LANServer

This should be provided. Otherwise use the utility “RUIPING” on the Utility CD -ROM
to locate and identify the IP address of the LANServer in question.

Step 2: Start the browser

Step 3: Browse to the Sentry LANServer

Specify the IP address in the
address field on your web
browser then push the Enter key.

The Sentry LANServer “home” page will appear

Step 4: Continue Browsing.
Use the buttons and links included on the Web Pages as well as the ‘back’ button to
navigate from page to page.

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3. Browser Security Settings

Security Settings must be set to enable the use of ActiveX controls and Cookies. Unless
specifically informed which settings to adjust assume that both groups of settings must be

configured correctly.

3.1. ActiveX Controls and Security

ActiveX controls can have access to the resources of the computer on which they are
running. For this reason they may be considered a security risk. The ActiveX controls
provided by Sierra Monitor only use the network connection resource of the computer. They
never access the disk or file storage system or any personal or private information on the
computer and they never send Sierra Monitor any information other than that documented
for each control. Neither Sierra Monitor nor anyone else can use these ActiveX controls (as
distributed) to compromise the system security

As there is a theoretical security risk, most browser’s have default security settings which do
not allow ActiveX controls to be run on a computer. The following information outlines how
to change the default security settings to allow the ActiveX controls to run on the computer.

Note that some controls provided by Sierra Monitor may access the computer’s resources in
a way that conflicts with these statements. In this case the “Constructing a Sentry
LANServer Project” manual will specify which other resources the ActiveX control uses.

3.2. Setting Browser Security Settings for ActiveX controls

The following notes and examples apply to Internet Explorer 6. Other browsers have similar
features and which are set in a similar way. Use the documentation of the browser to
determine how to adjust the settings.

Step 1 – From the browser’s pull down menu, select Tools|Internet Options.

Select the Security
Tab

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Click on the

Custom

Level

button

Step 2 – Customize the settings.

Step 3 - Change the following settings

• Download signed ActiveX Controls: Enable or Prompt

• Download unsigned ActiveX Controls: Enable or Prompt

• Initialize and Script ActiveX Controls not marked as safe: Enable or Prompt

• Run Active X Controls and plug-ins: Enable or Prompt

• Initialize and Script ActiveX Controls marked as safe: Enable or Prompt

Step 4 – Review
If in doubt about the meaning or effect of any of the settings then Sierra Monitor
recommends that the user consult their system administrator before changing settings.

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3.3. Cookies and Browser Security

Cookies are a technology used by browsers to transfer information between a server and a
browser. The transfer is bidirectional.

The cookies used by Sentry LANServer do not transfer any data about the user, the user’s
computer or preferences. Consider the use of Sierra Monitor cookies as safe.

It is necessary set the browser privacy settings to enable cookies. This can be applied as a
blanket policy or the user can enable cookies from a particular server (in this case from a
particular LANServer.)

3.4. Setting the Browser Privacy Settings for Cookies

The following notes and dialogs apply to Internet Explorer Version 6.

This setting is suitable. It is a blanket policy
as it affects all cookies from all servers.

Choose Advanced to enable only
cookies from a particular server.

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You need to accept 1st party
cookies.

You can choose whatever setting
you like here. It does not affect the
transfer of Sentry Cookie Data. If
you are unsure then consult with
your system administrator.

Allowing cookies from a particular server is done by adding the server’s name or IP Address.

Specify the WebServer IP
address and then click
Allow.

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4. Other Browsing Computer Settings

4.1. Synchronizing/Setting LANServer Time

This is done with a utility called RUINET. This is fully described in the LANServer
Troubleshooting guide. The main points of the procedure are repeated below.

• Set the PC to the date and time required.

• Connect to the LANServer using RUINET (installed with the Utility’s CD shipped with the

LANServer).

• Navigate to the Bridge Screen (B Key)

• Synchronize the time using the T Key.

The time zone of the LANServer is fixed in Pacific Standard Time.

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5. Browsing and Interpreting Sentry Information

5.1. General Browsing - Navigating

Return to the previously viewed
page. (Key=BACKSPACE)

Navigate to a specific page by
typing in the address bar and
pushing Enter.

Refresh the current
page. (Key=F5)

Click to Navigate to the
indicated page.

Click to Navigate to the
indicated zone.

5.2. Interpreting Zone Buttons

Zone buttons report the status of a logical collection of Sentry-Sensor’s. A sentry consists of
up to 8 sensors. A Zone is a collection of sensors based on a logic grouping such as
geographic location in a building, thus a zone can consist of:

• Some sensors from one Sentry

• All the sensors from one Sentry

• One or more sensors from one or more Sentry’s.

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If any sensor is reporting a
warning AND no sensor in the

If a sensor in the zone is
reporting a problem and there
are no sensors in the same
zone reporting a warning or an
alarm then the zone displays
grey

zone is in alarm then the zone
will be displayed in orange.

If all sensors in the
zone are in a normal
condition then the
zone displays green.

If any sensor in the zone is in
alarm then the zone displays red

Problem
Warning

The sensor reports that the analog value is invalid.
A concentration level above the warning set point. This also activates the
warning relay on the Sentry.

Alarm

A concentration level above the alarm set point. This also activates the alarm
relay on the Sentry.

Normal

None of the above.

If the zone buttons are white then the
problem being indicated does not relate
to the state of the Sensor but relates to
the transfer of new data to the web page.

Refer to Appendix 1.

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Status is normal.

5.3. Interpreting Sentry-Sensor Controls

A Sentry-Sensor control presents data for one single sensor one single Sentry. The color
changes to report the status, and the control displays the gas concentration, tag name and
units.
Red: Sensor concentration is above the alarm set point.
Orange: Sensor concentration is above warning set point.

A warning is

An alarm is
active.

Sensor Tag
Name

Sensor Tag Name

Sensor Engineering
Units
Sensor
Concentration

active and there
is no alarm.

There is a
problem with
this sensor.

Sensor
concentration
engineering units.

If the sensor tag name found in the Sentry is blank then the sensor tag
name allocated during construction of the web page is displayed.
The engineering units as configured in the Sentry. If none are configured
in the Sentry, then none are shown.

If the value is less than 10 then one decimal point is shown.

Gas
concentration.

If the Sentry-Sensor controls report ‘offline’
or “Format Err” then the problem indicated
does not relate to the state of the Sensor but
to the transfer of new data to the web page.

There are a number of possible causes
described in the Trouble Shooting section.

If this happens once, after the WebServer
has been reset then ignore this error.

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5.4. Interpreting Sentry -Combo Controls

Sentry-Combo controls are very similar to Sentry-Sensor controls.

Color
Sensor Tag
Name

Sensor
Engineering
Units
Sensor
Concentration

Alm

Wrn

Read the notes in the previous section. The same considerations apply.
If the sensor tag name found in the Sentry is blank then the sensor tag name
allocated during construction of the web page is displayed. May not be
displayed –depends on the configuration of the control when the page was
constructed.
The engineering units as configured in the Sentry. If none are configured in the
Sentry, then none are shown. May not be displayed –depends on the
configuration of the control when the page was constructed.
If the value is less than 10 then one decimal point is shown. May not be
displayed –depends on the configuration of the control when the page was
constructed.
Displays the alarm set point configured in the Sentry for the sensor. May not be
displayed –depends on the configuration of the control when the page was
constructed.
Displays the warning set point configured in the Sentry for the sensor. May not
be displayed –depends on the configuration of the control when the page was
constructed.

There is no difference between this
Sentry-Combo control and a Sentry­Sensor control. In this case they
show exactly the same information.

Different examples of the Sentry­Combo control. Each reports the
status and concentration of one
sensor.

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5.5. Interpreting Sentry Alarms

The Sentry alarm table reports Sentry-Sensor’s that are in an alarm condition.

If the alarm conditions change while viewing the page, then the page will refresh itself.
There is no alarm history. However, alarms are considered to be events and can be viewed
in the event history. If there are no alarms, the table is not presented. A single line reports
that there are no alarms.

The number of entries in the table depends on the number of active alarms.

There are no active alarms. The table is suppressed.

The LANServer has a limited amount of memory to create alarms.htm. If, in the process of
building this page, the limit is reached, before all the active alarms can be added to the
table, the Server adds the following message to the bottommost row of the table: "Not
enough space for all alarms!" and then stops processing additional alarms items. There is
no corrective action that can be taken. While not a hard and fast rule, for version 1.08eB of
the driver, a practical limit was 152 alarm items.

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