User guide

Control Center
User Manual
 Attero Tech LLC 2013 Page 19 614-00002-07
7 – Troubleshooting
Ensure your software is the latest version. The latest released version can be obtained from the Control Center Download
section of the Attero Tech website (www.atterotech.com).
7.1 – Network Setup
Before beginning troubleshooting devices and software, it is worth first checking that the CobraNet Network is correctly
constructed and connected.
o Use a crossover cable to directly connect a device to a PC
o Where multiple CobraNet devices are used, the CobraNet network must be built using Ethernet Switches. Ethernet
Hubs must not be used
o The use of 10 Mbit/s connections should be avoided
o The use of wireless connections must be avoided
o CobraNet is not routable so the use of routers should be avoided (using CobraNet through the embedded switch of
a residential type of router is OK as long as audio and control data is not required on the WAN side of the router).
o CobraNet devices all run at 100 Mbits/s so connections from the CobraNet device to the network must be capable
of running at 100 Mbits/s
o Connections between individual infrastructure devices (switch to switch, etc.) can run at 100 Mbits/s or above
Also be wary of having multiple instances of Control Center running on different machines but connected to the same
CobraNet network. If both try and access the same device, particularly using the DSP interface with metering enabled, both
machines will send multiple refreshes for the metering and will bog the device down under a barrage of SNMP messages.
7.2 – Possible Issues
No devices are detected (status bar device count shows 0)
o Check the OS running is not 64-bit
o If running under Vista, check the version. Only version 1.1.0.30 or later are Vista-compatible
o If running under Windows 7, check the version. Only version 1.2.0.58 or later are Windows 7 compatible
o If running Control Center V1.1.0.30 or later, check that other CobraNet software (such as CobraNet Discovery
V4.0.0 or later) is not running at the same time
o If running Control Center V1.1.0.30 or later and the PC running Control Center hibernates
2
while Control Center
was active, all devices will seem to disappear when the PC is reactivated. The only known way to get the devices to
re-appear is to close the software and run it again.
o Check the CobraNet devices are powered up and correctly connected
o Check to ensure the PC is correctly connected to the CobraNet network
o Check the cables are corrected and properly terminated
o If a managed switch is used, check the settings on the switch to ensure it is not interfering with the packet flow.
o Ensure the PC has a correctly assigned IP address
o Ensure the correct network card has been selected that is connected to the CobraNet network
o Ensure whatever firewall the PC may have allows access for Control Center messages
o Some Internet security applications can interfere with Control Center’s operation
No network cards are available to be selected
o Check the PC has network cards installed
o Check the operating system and if running under Vista, ensure V1.1.0.30 or later is being used.
o Check the operating system and if running under Windows 7, ensure V1.2.0.58 or later is being used.
Devices are detected (yellow icon) but do not show as fully working (green icon).
o If static IP addresses have been assigned to the CobraNet devices, ensure the PC network card IP address and
subnet mask are set correctly so the PC can communicate with them
o Check for other PCs running Control Center or other CobraNet software (such as CobraNet Discovery). They may
have allocated devices a temporary IP address that is not usable with the IP/subnet mask combination of this PC
running Control Center. Close any other such software and then cycle power on the device to reset any temporary
IP address it may have been given previously
o Close the application, disconnect then reconnect the PC Ethernet cable then restart the application
o Check the cables are corrected and properly terminated
o If a managed switch is used, check the settings on the switch to ensure it is not interfering with the packet flow.
2
Hibernation mode is where the PC is essentially turned off but keeps its memory active. Many PCs indicate this mode
using the power LED by flashing it. The PC is not in hibernation if the PC runs a screen saver or it turns off the monitor to
save energy.