The Server Icon

When you install Geo SCADA Expert on a server and run it as a service, the server icon is displayed in the Windows taskbar. The appearance and color of the server icon depends on its state:

The server is running and is the Main server.

The Main server is running but is experiencing an excessive load on the database. This icon only appears for the Main server.

The server is shutting down.

The server is a Standby server and is in the process of synchronizing with the Main server. For more information, see Synchronization Process for Multi-Server Architectures.

If this status persists longer than expected, see the section below about Invalid Standby Configuration.

The server is offline.

The server is a Standby server and has synchronized with the Main server.

The server is attempting to determine its status (it will then change to indicate whether it is Main, Standby, or has detected an error).

The server has detected an error.

If the server icon is magenta, you should investigate the cause of the detected error. Right-click on the server icon to display a context-sensitive menu. If the context-sensitive menu displays one of the following options:

Start Database

Select the Start Database option.
A dialog box is displayed containing information about the error that has been detected:

Invalid Database

If the Invalid Database option is displayed, it means that the database file is unsupported or is corrupt. You need to check that the build version of the database file is supported by your version of Geo SCADA Expert. For assistance, contact Schneider Electric.

Invalid Metadata

If the Invalid Metadata option is displayed, it means that the server has detected a problem with the registry key settings. If your system uses extra database fields, check their configuration and correct any mistakes (see Extra Database Fields). If the extra database fields are configured correctly, you should contact Schneider Electric for advice.

Invalid Standby Configuration

Select the Invalid Standby Configuration option to display a dialog box. The dialog box provides information about the differences between the configuration on the Main server and the configuration on the Standby server:

The differences can include:

  • The Standby server is not configured as a partner to the main server. You need to reconfigure the main server (see Configure the Partners Settings of a Server).
  • The Standby server does not have the modules (drivers) required by the main server available. You need to install the modules on the Standby server.
  • With Geo SCADA Expert 2020 onwards, the Standby server might be unable to connect to the Main server or vice versa due to differences in TLS (Transport Layer Security) configuration. For example, the Standby server might be configured to validate partner certificates, but will not be able to do so if the Main server is using a temporary certificate. You need to check both sets of Connection Security settings on both servers and ensure that there are no issues with the certificates that either server is using.

    WARNING

    inability to synchronize databases and take over as main

    With Geo SCADA Expert 2020 onwards, take care to ensure that Main and Standby servers all have compatible Connection Security configuration and valid certificates. We recommend that you renew certificates well in advance of their expiry dates. If the Main server is unable to connect to a Standby server due to differences in TLS (Transport Layer Security) configuration, then the Standby server will appear to attempt to synchronize endlessly with the Main server. Should a changeover occur in this situation, the Standby server will not be able to become Main. This is because it will have an invalid database due to the synchronization not having completed. For more information, see Configure the Connection Security Settings, and see Connection Security Tab (for Server-to-Server Communications).
    Failure to follow these instructions can result in death, serious injury, or equipment damage. If a changeover occurs with no Standby available to take over as Main, the system will be offline until a server with a valid database is brought back online.

  • The configuration of certain server features, such as alarm limits, on the Standby server is different to the configuration settings on the main server. You need to reconfigure the servers so that they have the same settings.
  • The multiple point state alarms on the Standby server differ to those on the main server. You need to reconfigure the servers so that they have the same settings.

When you have checked that the Standby server configuration settings are identical to those on the Main server, you can select the Retry Transfer option. If the configuration is the same, the server should run correctly.

If the server continues to experience difficulties, select the Stay in Safe Mode option and contact Schneider Electric for advice.

Database Save Error, Journal Save Error, or Database and Journal Save Error

If the context-sensitive menu contains the options Database Save Error, Journal Save Error, or Database and Journal Save Error, it means that the server is unable to save the database or journal files. You should locate the files and check that they can be accessed by Geo SCADA Expert (use Windows to provide the Windows SYSTEM level user with full access to the files and permission to unlock the files). You should also check that the disk to which the files are written has memory available. This is because a full disk can also cause the server to detect a database and/or journal save error.

If the files are accessible and the disk has a suitable amount of available space, contact Schneider Electric for advice.

Backup Failed

The server was unable to make an automatic backup of the database when its version of Geo SCADA Expert software was upgraded. This might be due to insufficient disk space. A partial backup might have been made. The Server Startup log file, DBStartup, will provide more information (see Access the DBStartup Log File). You should check that the disk to which the backup files should have been written has sufficient disk space available.

You can start the database to run it using the upgraded version of Geo SCADA Expert software. However, if your system experiences an issue that relates to the upgrade, you will not be able to downgrade to the previous version of Geo SCADA Expert software as easily. For more information, see Automatic Database Backup on Upgrade.

Isolated Standby

Select the Isolated Standby option to display a dialog box that prompts you to choose between:

  • Go Main
  • Stay Standby

When these options are available, it means that the server is a Standby server that has become isolated due to a network failure.

If you know that the Main server is still running, select the Stay Standby option. The server will remain as a Standby server and will reconnect with the Main server as soon as the network connection is restored.

If the Main server is not running, select the Go Main option to switch the Standby server to Main. The Standby server will become the Main server and will run independently. When the network is restored, the server will arbitrate with the other server(s) to avoid a Main-Main situation.

Configuration Unlicensed

If the Configuration Unlicensed option is available it means that the server does not have a valid license and so cannot run the database. You need to set up a valid license (see Server License Settings - Geo SCADA Expert).

Exception Occurred

If the Exception Occurred option is available it means that the server has detected an internal problem. Please contact Schneider Electric for assistance. It is beneficial to our engineers if you can provide a copy of the latest server log files for analysis.


Disclaimer

Geo SCADA Expert 2020