Optimus WINCONTROL SER. User manual

Configuring WinControl

Servers

v1.41

Information document

Configuring WinControl Servers

Information document

by GvB

This document describes the configuration of WinControl servers

that are used for permanent site surveillance & control

No part of this document including the software described in it may be reproduced, transmitted,

transcribed, stored in a database system or translated without the express written permission of JBL

Professional. Documentation kept by the end-user for back-up purposes is excluded from the above

mentioned.

All products and corporate names mentioned in this document might be registered trademarks or

copyrights of their respective companies. They are used here for indicative purposes only.

The information contained in this document has been carefully checked for accuracy, however no

guarantee is given with respect to the correctness. JBL Professional accepts no responsibility or liability

for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in this document or the products and/or software

described in it.

Specifications and information contained in this document are subject to change at any time without

notice.

Configuring WinControl Servers

User's notice:

Technical development by:

Duran Audio BV

Koxkampseweg 10

5301 KK Zaltbommel

The Netherlands

Phone:

Web:

+ 31(0)418-515583

http://www.duran-audio.com

Printed 1-4-2015, 10:39

JBL Professional

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Northridge, CA 91329

U.S.A.

Phone:

Web:

(818) 894 8850

http://www.jblpro.com

Configuring WinControl Servers 4

Table of Contents

Part I Document revision

6

Part II Introduction

8

Part III Factory configuration

13

................................................................................................................................... 141 Preparing

................................................................................................................................... 152 Hardware

......................................................................................................................................................... 15Install Failure Dongle

......................................................................................................................................................... 15Install CobraNet sound card

................................................................................................................................... 163 Windows

......................................................................................................................................................... 16Activate windows

......................................................................................................................................................... 16Install windows updates

......................................................................................................................................................... 16Automatic updates

......................................................................................................................................................... 16Disable User Account Control (UAC)

......................................................................................................................................................... 17Configure defender

......................................................................................................................................................... 17Services

......................................................................................................................................................... 17Set power management options

......................................................................................................................................................... 17Adapt boot configuration (windows)

......................................................................................................................................................... 18Adapt boot configuration (BIOS)

......................................................................................................................................................... 18Time server synchronization

................................................................................................................................... 184 Applications

......................................................................................................................................................... 18Prepare applications installation

......................................................................................................................................................... 20Configure fixed IP

......................................................................................................................................................... 20ASIControl and driver installation

......................................................................................................................................................... 20ASIControl and sound card configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 24Discovery installation

......................................................................................................................................................... 24CobraNet Application Development Tools

......................................................................................................................................................... 24WinControl installation

......................................................................................................................................................... 25Firewall configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 25Windows sound configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 25CobraNet configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 32WinControl configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 39WinControl auto-start

......................................................................................................................................................... 40WDT / Failure Dongle

......................................................................................................................................................... 43Crash test

......................................................................................................................................................... 43RS-485

................................................................................................................................... 435 System

......................................................................................................................................................... 43Redundant host

......................................................................................................................................................... 44VNC installation

......................................................................................................................................................... 45External Control test

......................................................................................................................................................... 46Burn-in test

................................................................................................................................... 466 Finalize

......................................................................................................................................................... 46Administration

......................................................................................................................................................... 47Clean-up and restore point

......................................................................................................................................................... 47Create image

5Contents

Part IV Configuration using image restore

48

Part V Site configuration

49

................................................................................................................................... 491 Site related configuration

Part VI Details

53

................................................................................................................................... 531 Preferred IP addresses

................................................................................................................................... 542 CobraNet bundle reservations

................................................................................................................................... 563 Cobranet device configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 57Bundle settings transmitters

......................................................................................................................................................... 59Bundle settings receivers

......................................................................................................................................................... 62Advanced configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 64Direct SNMP configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 65CobraNet status indication

................................................................................................................................... 654 Amplifier configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 66Input configuration

......................................................................................................................................................... 70Autogain

......................................................................................................................................................... 71Load monitoring

......................................................................................................................................................... 73Network activity monitoring

................................................................................................................................... 735 Pre-recorded messages

................................................................................................................................... 776 Server connections

................................................................................................................................... 807 Server details

Part VII Failure analysis

82

................................................................................................................................... 831 Device related failures

................................................................................................................................... 852 Server related failures

Index 90

6 Configuring WinControl Servers

1 Document revision

The table hereafter shows the document revisions:

Revision

Date

Description

v1.00

11102010

Start version.

v1.10

25012013

Configure Windows services section added.

Configure Windows defender added.

Changes to Windows power management settings.

Warnings for windows 32 bit OS required.

Changes to BIOS settings procedure.

Changes for sound card ASI53xx with dual redundant

CobraNet output on newer servers.

Description now refers to newest available Sound

card drivers .

Changes to CobraNet sound card related

configuration procedure .

Changes for newer servers offering dual Ethernet

interfaces.

Fixed IP convention change to 192.168.0.0/24 in

stead of 192.168.1.0/24.

Changes to Fixed IP ethernet adapter configuration

procedure.

Burn-in test procedure description added.

CobraNet Object Tools (COT) renamed to newer

CobraNet Application Development Tools .

Minor procedure and layout modifications.

v1.20

17012014

Create image procedure added.

Configuration after image restore procedure

added.

Windows sound configuration procedure adapted.

Disable unused players and recorders.

Updated VNC procedure .

17

18

25

53

20

46

24

47

48

25

44

7Document revision

Server details table adapted.

Minor procedure and layout modifications.

v1.30

17032014

Updated screen dumps with respect to default IP

addresses for CobraNet devices.

Added more detail to the CobraNet configuration

procedure.

v1.40

21102014

Re-branded and minor changes.

v1.41

01042015

Changes related to handling of CobraNet Application

Development Tools installation by newer WinControl

installation sets (v2.77.2 'Cobra' or higher). It is now

no longer explicitly required that the server OS is 32

bit.

80

25

8 Configuring WinControl Servers

2 Introduction

This document describes some features regarding the redundant WinControl Server set-

up and the configuration of the CobraNet enabled devices (e.g. JBL AXYS PB-400-CN and

PB-800-CN multi-channel amplifiers) that can be used for VA compliant installations.

Factory hardware and software related Server configuration details are described here

A summary of important commissioning related configuration can be found here

More in-depth information (including failure analysis) can be found here

Note that there are two versions of this documentation:

Internal use:

The documentation for internal use describes all factory related Server configuration in

detail.

External use:

The factory related Server configuration is (partly) omitted from the documentation.

The current document is compiled for: External use.

13

49

53

9Introduction

A block diagram of a simple system with fully redundant Servers is shown hereafter.

10 Configuring WinControl Servers

Servers and External Control:

In the block diagram a fully redundant dual Server set-up in 'hot' system pair

arrangement is shown. On each Server, WinControl Service version is running (v2.35 or

higher recommended). Each 3rd-party front-end controller (e.g. a PLC) communicates to

each Server over a serial interface (External Control). Extensive failure/status

information, configuration (e.g. amplifier zone and input selection) and pre-recorded

message control is supported and documented in the WinControl External Control API.

External Control commands can be sent to both Servers, device dependent commands

will only be processed by the current Master Server (if specified in the command packet).

The External Control interface is monitored in WinControl by means of a software

watchdog. This watchdog is triggered by a specific command (e.g. status/failure or

Availability score request, the exact trigger command is configurable) that should be sent

periodically by the front-end. The Servers are also equipped with a hardware Watchdog

Timer (that will automatically reset the Server in case of a crash) and a General Failure

Relay for additional fault interfacing.

Master / Standby arbitration:

Each Server calculates and exposes an Availability (or 'health') score. This score is

calculated from Server dependent error flags, i.e. errors that are solely depending on the

devices on the network are not included in the score calculation. The calculation of the

score (i.e. the error classes that are taken into account) can be configured from within

WinControl. The Availability score can be obtained by the Front-end over External

Control. The Front-end can easily implement a Master / Standby arbitration scheme

based on the Availability score provided by each Server. In a redundant host set-up with

two Servers, the Front-end should periodically poll the Availability score of each Server

and the most capable ('healthiest') Server should be set as Master. The Front-end can

assign this Master or Standby status to each Server 'on-the-fly' over External Control.

Even when operating in Standby mode, a Server has full access to all monitored devices,

however it has somewhat lower rights with respect to device accessing. For example the

Scan speed is lowered during status monitoring of devices, the retry scheme can be

aborted by the Master etc.

Servers do not communicate their Availability score to each other, only the Master /

Standby status is communicated in order to prevent simultaneous device access by

multiple masters. Servers monitor each other over Ethernet (redundant host link), e.g. for

Serial Bridge access synchronization and Master / Standby status synchronization.

11Introduction

Device control and monitoring:

Control and monitoring of the AXYS devices (e.g. PB-400-CN/PB-800-CN amplifiers) over

CobraNet is implemented in WinControl through the CobraNet Serial Bridge (serial

communication protocol tunneled over Ethernet). The Serial Bridge uses two broadcast

MAC addresses per WinControl Subnet in order to separate transmit and receive traffic.

The MAC addresses are in the range reserved by Cirrus Logic for use as 'asynchronous

global channels'. Due to Ethernet latency/forwarding delay issues there is no guarantee

that the sequence of responses from multiple devices remains unaltered. Therefore the

communication protocol has been adapted to request the WinControl device address

after each response if appropriate (i.e. whenever a response from multiple devices is

expected). Upon reception of a complete packet, the packet is reordered (depending on

address tags) and condensed (address tags are removed). This implies that individual

unique WinControl device addresses are still required as for RS-485 mode.

WinControl supports a virtually unlimited number of Subnets. Individual configuration per

Subnet is supported; RS-485 mode (normal COM port) or CobraNet serial bridge mode.

This means that a 'mixed' net configuration can be supported: Subnet(s) operating on RS-

485 and Subnet(s) operating on CobraNet can be simultaneously controlled by

WinControl. Ethernet adapter assignment is also supported per WinControl Subnet. If a

Server supports multiple Ethernet adapters, they can be assigned per WinControl Subnet.

Audio:

CobraNet is used for digital audio transport. All CobraNet sources (call stations as well

as the pre-recorded message stations that are integrated in the Servers) multicast to the

CobraNet receivers (amplifiers). A maximum of 8 statically routed CobraNet sources is

currently supported (2 for the Servers message store and 6 for the microphone stations).

Each source routes to a fixed digital input of the amplifiers. WinControl can send

messages for the source selection (i.e. input selection; selecting the proper amplifier

input(s)) and the output zone selection (i.e. selecting the proper amplifier outputs).

These messages are normally triggered by the Front-end over External Control.

Monitoring of (CobraNet) sound card integrity and microphone stations is implemented

by means of HF pilot tones. Individual pilot tone detection on all input channels is

implemented in the devices (PB-400-CN/PB-800-CN amplifiers). PB-400-CN/PB-800-CN

amplifiers are equipped with 2 analogue and 8 digital (CobraNet) inputs, two redundant

100 Mb/s RJ-45 Ethernet interfaces are supported. Note that one of the analogue

amplifier inputs can be sourced from a hi-priority analogue source if required. This even

offers the possibility to implement an analogue signal path that can fully bypass the

digital signal distribution system.

The Servers support a virtually unlimited number of pre-recorded messages. The pre-

recorded messages are monitored for integrity. Newer server types are offering dual

redundant CobraNet interfaces and dual Ethernet interfaces (see Server connections ).

77

12 Configuring WinControl Servers

Microphone stations:

The Front-end takes care of microphone station zone selection, priority assignments and

push-to-talk functionality. The Front-end performs the interfacing to the general (e.g.

SCADA) management system.

13Factory configuration

3 Factory configuration

This section describes the factory configuration from scratch.

The server may also be configured by means of restoring an existing windows image.

This process is described in section Configuration using image restore .

The following steps are required for the factory configuration/testing of the WinControl

Server PC. Duran Audio will take care of the required configuration. Not all steps might

be required under all circumstances (e.g. CobraNet related steps can be skipped for a

Server without CobraNet support). This is indicated in the description of each

configuration step.

Preparing:

Preparing

Hardware:

Install Watchdog Timer / Failure dongle

Install CobraNet sound card

Software:

Register windows

Install windows updates

Disable automatic updates

Disable User Account Control (UAC)

Configure defender

Services

Set power management options

Adapt boot configuration (windows)

Adapt boot configuration (BIOS)

Time server synchronization

Prepare applications installation

Configure fixed IP

ASIControl and driver installation

ASIControl and sound card configuration

Discovery installation

CobraNet Application Development Tools

WinControl installation

Firewall configuration

Windows sound configuration

CobraNet configuration

WinControl configuration

WinControl auto-start

WDT / Failure Dongle

Crash test

48

14

15

16

17

18

20

24

25

32

39

40

43

14 Configuring WinControl Servers

RS-485

In case of a redundant Server pair (Master / Standby), the following steps should be

executed after configuration of both Servers.

System:

Redundant host

VNC installation

External Control test

Burn-in test

After installation and testing the following steps are required.

Finalize:

Administation

Clean-up and restore point

Create system image

3.1 Preparing

The following Server configuration variants exist:

Plain Server.

Server with CobraNet support.

Server with CobraNet support in dual redundant set-up (usually 2 Servers).

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

43

44

45

46

47

8

15Factory configuration

3.2 Hardware

3.2.1 Install Failure Dongle

The Server has to be equipped with a dedicated Failure Dongle.

The purpose of this Failure Dongle is twofold:

It has an integrated Watchdog Timer (WDT). The Server is automatically rebooted in

case the WDT times out (e.g. in case of a 'crash' of WinControl or the Operating

System).

It provides floating relay contacts which can be used to signal a failure condition to a

3rd party front-end.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.2.2 Install CobraNet sound card

The CobraNet sound card is required to stream the pre-recorded messages onto the

CobraNet. Typically AudioScience ASI5402 (2 channel) or ASI5408/ASI5308 (8 channel)

sound cards are used. ASI5402 (PCI) are used in older server types. ASI5408 (PCI) and

ASI5308 (PCI Express) are used in newer server types.

Proceed as follows to install the CobraNet sound card:

This step can be skipped if CobraNet support is not required.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

8

16 Configuring WinControl Servers

3.3 Windows

3.3.1 Activate windows

Windows is activated during factory configuration.

Warning below no longer applies for newer WinControl installation sets that

include the required CobraNet tools (v2.77.2 'Cobra' or higher), CobraNet Serial

Bridge properly operates on 64 or 32 bit OS.

For Servers with CobraNet support a 32 bit OS should be installed for proper

operation of the CobraNet Serial Bridge, see CobraNet Application Development

Tools .

3.3.2 Install windows updates

All available windows updates are installed during factory configuration.

3.3.3 Automatic updates

Turn windows automatic updates off. Automatic updates of the OS (Operating System) is

not desired in a situation where the Server should be able to restart quickly and usually

does not have access to the Internet.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.3.4 Disable User Account Control (UAC)

We don't want User Account Control (UAC) to sit in between every action, so disable this.

Also the CobraNet Application Development Tools (formerly known as CobraNet

Object Tools) and the control application for the CobraNet sound card (ASIControl ) do

not function properly when UAC is set to the standard protection level.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

19

8

24

20

8

17Factory configuration

3.3.5 Configure defender

Windows defender should be configured to have automatic scanning deactivated in order

to avoid possibly high CPU usage (by svchost.exe) due to the background scanning

process. Although this issue with Windows defender seems to be solved with the most

recent Windows Update Agent and Windows reliability updates, the server is configured

to have this background scanning process disabled.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.3.6 Services

Windows services that are not required are set to manual start or are disabled. This

results in a faster boot and a faster availability of the network resources.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.3.7 Set power management options

The AudioScience ASI54xx/ASI53xx CobraNet sound card requires that the power saving

mode 'Hibernate' should be disabled since it puts the AudioScience audio adapter into a

non-recoverable state. Also the default power settings in Windows are not set for

maximum performance.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.3.8 Adapt boot configuration (windows)

It is desired that the Server PC boots fast after a hard reset by the WDT, so the time that

is reserved to manually enter another boot mode (e.g. 'safe mode') has to be reduced.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

8

18 Configuring WinControl Servers

3.3.9 Adapt boot configuration (BIOS)

Make some adaptations to the BIOS setting for e.g. faster booting.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

3.3.10 Time server synchronization

Normally the WinControl Server is not connected to the Internet so time synchronization

with an external Internet time server should be disabled.

Factory related configuration details are omitted from the documentation for External use

.

Optimus WINCONTROL SER. User manual

Optimus WINCONTROL SER. User manual

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